European football bodies protest FIFA’s private‑equity plan
European soccer authorities have announced a coordinated boycott of FIFA competitions, citing deep concerns over a proposal that would hand control of the sport’s flagship events to private investors. The dispute centers on FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to spin off FIFA’s commercial operations into a $20 billion subsidiary that would be 20 percent owned by external investors.
The core investor identified for the new entity is a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, with Jared Kushner also referenced in the proposal’s background. Infantino has offered $20 million to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations, a move seen as an attempt to secure support before a March vote in Rabat, Morocco.
Reactions from continental confederations
UEFA, together with its 55 member nations, declared it would not participate in FIFA tournaments after an urgent online meeting. CONCACAF echoed the sentiment, warning that the lack of due process and the short deadline threaten the integrity of world football. The Asian Football Confederation, represented by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, added that the initiative would not succeed without the backing of all confederations.
Football Supporters Europe also voiced criticism, describing the plan as a failure of leadership and an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of the global game. The criticism comes as the next major tournament, the Women’s Under‑20 World Cup in Poland, prepares to begin on September 5, and as the United States, Canada and Mexico compete to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Political ramifications and next steps
The boycott threatens Infantino’s presidency, which has already faced mounting pressure from stakeholders uneasy about external investors shaping the sport’s future. FIFA has responded by acknowledging the feedback but maintaining that no sale is occurring and that the consultation process will continue. A deadline of November 18 has been set for potential candidates to declare their intent for the upcoming presidential election.