European football’s governing body rebukes FIFA’s investment gamble
The Union of European Football Associations has voted to boycott all FIFA‑sanctioned competitions after the world governing body’s president, Gianni Infantino, floated a plan to open the World Cup to private investors.
In a statement released on Thursday, UEFA emphasized that the World Cup must remain a sporting event rather than a commercial asset, noting that its 55 member nations spoke with a single voice against the proposal.
The English Football Association quickly voiced its endorsement of UEFA’s position, reinforcing the sentiment that the tournament’s integrity should not be compromised for financial gain.
Investment push and political ripples
U.S. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have condemned the scheme, describing it as a plan that would hand the world’s most watched sporting event to a handful of oligarchs and billionaires.
FIFA hopes to raise $4.2 billion through a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would manage the commercial rights of major tournaments. The organization has already held talks with Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital and partnered with J.P. Morgan to structure the financing.
The plan also carries political overtones, with Infantino’s frequent visits to the White House and Mar‑a‑Lago underscoring a close relationship with former President Donald Trump, while the 2030 World Cup is slated to be hosted across stadiums in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.