World Cup thrown into major doubt as UEFA take unprecedented stand against FIFA

UEFA countries are reportedly unanimously backing a proposed World Cup boycott as a protest against FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in the tournament to investors.

FIFA proposed the idea earlier this week, with Gianni Infantino already writing to all 211 member associations, pledging £30 million if they back his plan to sell off stakes in its flagship competition, the World Cup.

The FIFA president set a deadline of September 19 for federations to either accept or reject his controversial plan if they want to receive an initial £15 million.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed that it will "invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments" in a new subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), founded to oversee the commercial rights for every future tournament. It has been reported that Infantino will also benefit financially from the plans.

Football associations across the globe have slammed the plans, with UEFA accusing FIFA of using the sport to “enrich themselves and their friends”.

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A statement published by UEFA reacting to the plans reads: “This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

“None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell.”

FIFA aims to raise up to £3.1 billion from investors by selling minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE, which the organisation values at around £15 billion.

It has since emerged that all 55 UEFA countries, including England, have voted to support a World Cup boycott.

UEFA issues statement on World Cup boycott

A statement published by UEFA on Thursday (July 30) explained how its member associations will not participate in any of FIFA's competitions, including both the men's and women's World Cups.

"UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one," UEFA said. "We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

"The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

"It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game.

"This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.

"National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a 'democratic decision', but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.

"But our opposition goes far beyond process.

"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.

"This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return.

"Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.

"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."