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UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell a stake in the organisation’s tournaments to private investors.
The threat followed an emergency meeting of UEFA’s 55 member associations on Thursday, where officials unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposal to seek external investment in competitions such as the men’s and women’s World Cups.
The dispute represents one of the most significant clashes between UEFA and FIFA in recent years and could jeopardise Infantino’s commercial strategy, given Europe’s dominance in global football through its leading national teams, clubs, players and broadcast markets.
According to Sky Sports, UEFA believes allowing private investors to acquire stakes in FIFA tournaments could permanently change the ownership structure and commercial direction of international football.
Industry observers say the proposal would become difficult to implement if European nations refuse to participate, making potential investors hesitant to commit billions of pounds.
If the impasse remains unresolved, the first tournament potentially affected would be the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from September 5 to September 27.
FIFA has defended the proposal, insisting that any investment arrangement would not affect its governance or decision-making authority, while arguing that the initiative would generate additional funding for its 211 member associations.
Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said the proposal had triggered widespread opposition across the football world, drawing comparisons with the failed European Super League project.
He added that FIFA had offered member associations access to as much as £7.5 billion if they approved the proposal before the September 19 deadline, compared with approximately £2 billion if they rejected it.
The proposal has also attracted political criticism, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham arguing that football should remain in the hands of supporters rather than private investors.
With UEFA now openly threatening to boycott FIFA competitions, pressure is mounting on Infantino as football’s governing bodies edge towards one of the sport’s biggest governance disputes in recent history.
