A United Front Against Sale of the World Cup
European soccer’s governing body and its 55 member associations have announced a coordinated boycott of FIFA tournaments after decisively rejecting a proposal to place the World Cup under private investment.
The rejection follows Gianni Infantino’s announcement of a new venture called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which aims to raise up to $8.2 billion in capital from private investors. Members have been given until September 19 to endorse the plan.
Both UEFA and its North American counterpart, Concacaf, issued strong statements condemning the lack of consultation and warning that the future of the sport cannot be dictated by financial interests.
In a joint communiqué, the two bodies emphasized that football’s governance and integrity must be protected, calling for greater transparency in decision‑making processes.
The backlash underscores a broader anxiety among traditional football authorities about the growing influence of commercial capital on the world’s most watched tournament.