European football’s governing bodies have taken an unprecedented step, declaring a collective boycott of every FIFA tournament in response to a controversial proposal to privatize the World Cup.
A united front in European football
The plan, championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, envisions a $20 billion subsidiary in which a 20 percent equity share would be sold to private‑equity investors. The core backer identified for the New York‑based investment vehicle is Joshua Kushner, whose firm would anchor the deal.
UEFA’s statement framed the World Cup as a heritage belonging to the sport itself, arguing that commercializing its crown jewel would irrevocably alter football’s cultural fabric. The federation denounced the scheme as a failure of leadership and an abandonment of FIFA’s custodial duty.
Critics within the European federation voiced anger that FIFA’s multi‑billion‑dollar reserves were being left untouched while the organization seeks external capital. They warned that the move would prioritize profit over development, even as Gianni Infantino continues to promote the initiative as a catalyst for global soccer growth.
The controversy comes at a time when the next major FIFA event, the Women’s Under‑20 World Cup, is slated to be hosted by Poland in September, a schedule that now faces uncertainty amid the boycott.