UEFA has threatened to boycott the 2030 FIFA World Cup and all FIFA competitions if football’s governing body proceeds with plans to sell ownership stakes in the tournament and other competitions to private investors.
The decision followed an emergency meeting involving UEFA’s 55 member associations, where the confederation unanimously rejected the proposal reportedly championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
According to UEFA, FIFA has given football associations until September 19 to endorse the plan, which includes a £30.1 million ($40 million) financial incentive for associations that support the proposal.
In a strongly worded statement, UEFA said neither it nor its member associations would participate in FIFA competitions if the proposal is implemented.
“UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one,” the statement read.
“We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”
UEFA criticised FIFA for allegedly developing the proposal without meaningful consultation with key stakeholders, describing the process as “a profound failure of leadership” and “an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.”
The European governing body also accused FIFA of presenting national associations with an ultimatum, saying they were being forced to either accept the proposal or face consequences.
“National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences,” UEFA stated.
The confederation argued that allowing private investors to acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions would fundamentally alter the governance of world football by prioritising shareholder returns over the interests of players, clubs, leagues, national associations and supporters.
“The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever,” the statement added.
“Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.”
UEFA insisted that football’s future “cannot mortgage its future for financial gain” and vowed to resist the proposal.
It warned that no UEFA national teams would take part in FIFA competitions for as long as the proposal remains under consideration unless it is completely withdrawn and FIFA provides binding assurances that it will never allow private ownership of its competitions.
“Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale,” UEFA declared.
