United States among 41 more nations rejecting Gianni Infantino's FIFA World Cup sell-off as statement issued

The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) has rejected FIFA’s plans to sell stakes in its tournaments to private investors after UEFA proposed a World Cup boycott.

Earlier this week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the controversial plans to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), with the aim of overseeing the commercial rights for every future tournament.

The global football body wants to raise around £3.1 billion by selling minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE, which the organisation values at around £15 billion.

Infantino has also pledged to make £30 million available to member associations that accept his proposal by September 19, with an initial payment of £15 million tabled.

UEFA reacted furiously, accusing FIFA of using football to “enrich themselves and their friends”, with the body making clear that football “is not FIFA’s to sell”.

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On Thursday (July 30), UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin chaired a meeting with all 55 member associations, including England, Spain, France and Germany.

The result of the meeting was unanimous, with all 55 member associations backing a boycott of FIFA’s tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, if Infantino’s plans are passed.

For the plans to be passed, they must first be subject to a vote involving all 211 member associations.

A UEFA statement read: “Europe’s position is clear.

"We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.

"As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.

"Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.

"There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.

"Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."

The FA followed up with a statement of its own, making clear that it opposes FIFA’s plans.

Concacaf issues statement rejecting FIFA Forward Enterprise plans

Later on Thursday, all 41 member associations of Concacaf, including the USA, rejected Infantino’s proposal and requested that FIFA’s Council instruct the president to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance process.

A statement posted by Concacaf on behalf of its 41 member associations read:

“Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years, we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.

“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.

“With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

“During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programmes following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.

“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.

“For these reasons, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have:

• Rejected the proposal;

• Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing vast FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and

• Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.

“Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football's future—and its greatest asset—must remain in the hands of our football family.”