UEFA is reportedly contemplating a FIFA World Cup boycott if FIFA president Gianni Infantino goes ahead with a controversial stake-selling plan to raise $20 billion from outside investors.
The European football body is planning an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations this week to oppose Infantino’s plan, which would “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity FIFA has,” as per ESPN.
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The game’s governing body is already working with multinational financial services firm J.P. Morgan. As part of its new plan, potential outside investors would include Thrive Eternal, launched by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who’s US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
UEFA – which is set to have a virtual meeting of its member associations by the end of the week – has strongly opposed the proposal:
“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.
“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
Infantino said on Tuesday (July 28) about raising $4.2 billion to fund development programmes “based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion by carefully selecting long-term investors who will purchase minority, non-controlling interests:”
“This is about the democratisation of football worldwide.”
As per FIFA’s proposal, instead of the currently promised $8 million in development funds for each of the 211 members through the 2027-30 World Cup commercial cycle, it would be $20 million, $22 million and $24 million in subsequent cycles up to 2038 in the “FIFA Fast-Forward Program.
FIFA earned record income from 2026 FIFA World Cup
As per ESPN, FIFA earned a record income of around $12 billion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The competition featured 48 teams and three co-hosts for the first time.
Amid high prices for ticket and hospitality across the three co-hosting nations, Spain beat 10-man holders Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the New Jersey final on July 19 to win their second title.
It was La Roja‘s first success in the competition since their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010, making them the first team to complete the European Championship-FIFA World Cup double twice.
Edited by Bhargav
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