All 55 UEFA member associations have unanimously agreed to boycott FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with plans to sell ownership stakes in the commercial rights of its flagship tournaments to private investors.
The decision follows growing opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, which would create a new commercial company and offer a minority stake to external investors while FIFA retains governance of the competitions.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said the World Cup “is not for sale” and argued that football’s premier tournament should not be treated as an investment product. The European governing body also criticised FIFA for allegedly pushing the proposal without meaningful consultation with its member associations.
UEFA warned that unless the proposal is abandoned and assurances are provided that similar plans will not return, its member nations will refuse to participate in FIFA-organised tournaments.
Infantino has defended the proposal, insisting it is only a consultation and “not an obligation.” He said FIFA would retain full control of the governance and sporting aspects of the World Cup even if outside investors acquire a minority commercial stake.
