UEFA threatens World Cup boycott over FIFA's plan to sell tournament stakes

UEFA said on Thursday that its 55 member associations will not take part in the World Cup or any FIFA tournaments if the federation’s plan to privatise competition rights proceeds. The organization issued an emergency-meeting statement declaring, "Uefa and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors."

FIFA responded that it is not selling football and will continue its consultation process ahead of a vote scheduled for 19 September. The federation said the new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), would seek minority, non-controlling investments to raise up to $4.2 billion, with proceeds earmarked for reinvestment in football worldwide.

CONCACAF, representing 41 North, Central American and Caribbean nations, also rejected the proposal, stating it “rejected the proposal.”

During UEFA’s emergency meeting, the Czech Football Association president, David Trunda, expressed a more pragmatic view, telling Sky News, "I can see the positive impact of FIFA’s intentions and the benefits for Czech football from close cooperation with Gianni Infantino and his team."

The plan involves creating FFE as a commercial vehicle managed by FIFA, with external capital led by investment group Thrive Eternal. JPMorgan is reportedly advising on the fundraising effort, which could allow investors to acquire up to a 20 percent stake.

The dispute marks a rare public clash between football’s global and continental governing bodies as they negotiate the future ownership and financing of the sport’s flagship events.