FIFA’s proposal to sell shares in the World Cup is in disarray after a momentous day which saw England and UEFA announce a boycott – as a total of 90 nations rebelled against Gianni Infantino’s plan to offer a stake in the tournament to private investors.
On Thursday afternoon, England and the other 54 UEFA nations reached a unanimous agreement following crisis talks over proposals to generate £3.1billion in investment for FIFA tournaments.
UEFA have since been backed by the 35 FIFA-registered nations of Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, who also rejected the plans – although they stopped short of threatening to withdraw from FIFA competitions.
Sources have told the Daily Mail that opposition to Infantino’s FIFA presidency is growing within Concacaf, with the vast majority of member associations having already lost confidence in his leadership.
To pass the proposal, Infantino would need the backing of 106 member associations. Currently, 90 FIFA members are publicly opposed to the plans. 16 more rebels would make it impossible for Infantino to pass his plans.
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UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has condemned FIFA’s plans to allow private investors a share of the World Cup
UEFA member associations were described to Daily Mail Sport as ‘outraged’ with more than 40 federations providing testimony at Thursday’s meeting, as UEFA coordinated their response to FIFA’s proposals.
Daily Mail Sport also understands there was ‘total unanimity’ on the call with associations fuming that FIFA had left them in the dark – unilaterally developing plans to transform football governance.
One international football insider told Daily Mail Sport: ‘This is at the nuclear button end of the spectrum, which is impressive.’
In a statement, cosigned by all 55 UEFA members, European football’s governing body said: ‘UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.
‘UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. 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.
‘It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
‘National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic decision’, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.
‘But our opposition goes far beyond process,’ the UEFA statement continued.
‘The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. 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.
‘This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
‘Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
‘As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
‘Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
‘There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
‘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.’
An FA spokeswoman added: ‘We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose FIFA’s plans – the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and always will.’
UEFA’s decision to boycott tournaments could force FIFA to abandon its plans, just as they did when the continental confederation used the same tactic to compel FIFA to scrap a 2021 proposal to turn the World Cup into a biennial tournament.
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Gianni Infantino has been widely criticised for his decision to put the World Cup ‘up for sale’
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Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham came under pressure to take action
Concacaf said: ‘Concacaf is a confederation united by the love of our game, where football comes first. Guided by this philosophy over the past ten years we have built, from the ground up, an organisation founded on service, transparent governance, and the long-term stewardship of football.
‘History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values.
‘With this in mind, Concacaf today convened a meeting of the presidents of its 41 Member Associations, together with its President, Council members, and its FIFA Council members, to discuss a proposal developed and presented by the FIFA President to establish ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ and sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
‘During the meeting, the membership expressed deep concerns about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies. In addition, the need for private equity investment to fund new and existing FIFA Forward programs following the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history was questioned.
‘The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance.
‘For these reasons, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have: Rejected the proposal; Tasked their FIFA Council Members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing FIFA reserves could be used to increase FIFA Forward funding for football development across our region; and Tasked their FIFA Council Members with instructing the FIFA President to ensure that any matter follows the proper governance processes via staff and FIFA Council, in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.
‘Through these actions, Concacaf reaffirms that football’s future – and its greatest asset – must remain in the hands of our football family.’
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: ‘This is a principled decision that we strongly support. Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand to protect our game.’
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage was among the political class to support UEFA.
‘Football is for the people,’ Farage posted on X. ‘UEFA are right to take a stand and Gianni Infantino must resign.’
FIFA are hoping to raise £3.1billion of private investment in a new company responsible for the commercial and operational aspects of tournaments.
Investment bank J.P. Morgan is FIFA’s financial adviser on the project while Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital is expected to lead the proposed investor group. Kushner is the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared.
Infantino tried to force FIFA’s associations to decide on the proposal by September 19, while explaining the financial benefits in a letter to all 211 FIFA members.
UEFA, however, accused FIFA of trying to bribe associations into agreeing with the proposals, which could see them receive up to an additional £15million in revenue.
In another blow to the plan, the president of the Asian Federation Sheikh Salman wrote of his ‘great concern and disappointment’ in FIFA’s decision to prepare the proposal without consultation.
The effects of the boycott could be seen in as little as 37 days, with the women’s Under 20 World Cup set to kick off in Poland. The tournament features six European teams, including England.
Meanwhile, the UEFA play-offs for the Women’s World Cup are scheduled for October, with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all in action.