UEFA Nations Vote to Boycott FIFA Competitions Over Private Investment Proposal

European football associations voted unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions after the governing body announced plans to sell up to 21% of a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprises, for an estimated $4.2 billion. UEFA said its members will not take part in any FIFA tournament while the proposal remains under consideration, and will only return if the plan is fully withdrawn and binding guarantees are provided that future competitions will not be open to private ownership.

FIFA confirmed that the new entity would manage commercial operations for events such as the World Cups and Club World Cups, while FIFA itself would retain a majority stake. The sale must be approved by a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council by September 19, allowing funds to be released to members by early 2027.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies… No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors,” UEFA said in a statement.

The proposal has drawn criticism from other regional bodies. CONCACAF said it learned of the plan only through media reports and expressed concern over the lack of consultation. The Asian Football Confederation similarly noted disappointment at the premature public disclosure, while the African confederation indicated it was reviewing the proposal with its members.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the initiative, describing it as a “democratic process” and a step toward strengthening the sport’s commercial side. He emphasized that FIFA would retain governance of football and that the flagship tournaments would remain under its control if the plan is approved.

The next World Cup events are the women’s tournament in Brazil next summer and the men’s tournament scheduled for 2030 in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with qualifiers set to begin in October.