In an unprecedented online session that brought together all 55 UEFA member associations, the federation announced a collective decision to stay out of every FIFA‑organized competition.
A united front
The move follows a proposal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino that would spin the World Cup’s commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary, with a 20 percent stake reserved for private‑equity investors.
According to people familiar with the pitch, the core investor would be a New York‑based firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, tying the plan to a political network that includes former president Donald Trump.
UEFA officials denounced the scheme as a failure of leadership and a threat to the integrity of the sport, arguing that commercial interests must not dictate the future of football.
The criticism reflects growing frustration among national federations that rely on FIFA’s development funds, especially as the organization sits on multi‑billion‑dollar reserves.
The dispute also casts a shadow over the upcoming Women’s Under‑20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Poland in September, highlighting the broader implications for international tournaments.