FIFA president Gianni Infantino has put forward a $10 billion plan that would let national football associations sell stakes in upcoming World Cup tournaments to private investors, with a September 19 deadline for them to sign up.
The proposal has been met with a wave of criticism. Critics have labeled it a potential conduit for bribery, and many associations — including England’s Football Association and France’s soccer federation — have voiced confusion and concern over the terms.
Europe’s countermove
UEFA is said to be considering a boycott of the initiative, a step that could dramatically alter the organization of the tournament and send shockwaves through global football governance.
The scheme arrives just as the host nations for the next two editions have already been confirmed, turning a traditionally public‑sector event into a private‑capital venture.
The backlash is not confined to Europe; Confederations such as Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have also expressed disappointment, highlighting the proposal’s threat to regional balance.
Historically, the last continent‑wide boycott of the men’s World Cup took place in 1966, when African nations refused to attend. Today, European soccer’s outsized influence — three of the four 2026 semifinalists are European — adds weight to UEFA’s potential response.
If the plan proceeds, it could reshape how the world’s most watched sporting event is funded, but the growing opposition suggests that the road ahead will be fraught with negotiation and controversy.