UEFA to boycott FIFA World Cup: Infantino faces revolt

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA and its 55 member associations have unanimously agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, if FIFA president Gianni Infantino proceeds with plans to sell ownership stakes in the tournament to private investors. In an unprecedented statement released on Thursday, European football’s governing body declared that the FIFA World Cup “is not for sale” and accused FIFA of attempting to hand control of the game’s biggest competition to outside investors. UEFA said the proposal was developed in secret and brought close to approval without meaningful consultation with national associations. “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,” UEFA said. The organisation described the proposal as “a profound failure of leadership” and accused FIFA of abandoning its responsibility as the custodian of world football. UEFA warned that allowing private investors to acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions would fundamentally change football forever. “The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever,” the statement said. It argued that commercial returns would become a permanent obligation and that decisions on the international calendar, tournament formats and the future of football would increasingly be driven by shareholder interests rather than what benefits the game. “Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return,” UEFA said. The governing body also rejected what it described as FIFA’s attempt to pressure national associations into accepting the proposal. “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.” UEFA insisted that no football official has the moral authority to sell what generations of players, supporters and national teams have built. “The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product,” it said. “It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors.” The European governing body then issued its strongest warning yet. “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.” The decision means reigning world champions Spain, 2030 FIFA World Cup co-host Portugal, and European heavyweights England, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands could all refuse to participate in future FIFA competitions if the dispute is not resolved. The move dramatically escalates the growing confrontation between UEFA and FIFA and threatens to plunge world football into its biggest governance crisis in modern history. The developments come just days after Malawian football fans also turned against Infantino. A Malawi24 online poll found that 80% of respondents believe Infantino should not remain FIFA president following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while 17% supported another term and 3% were undecided. The results reflected growing unease over his leadership and the proposed sale of stakes in FIFA competitions. The dispute also places the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) under fresh scrutiny. Although FAM has not publicly commented on UEFA’s boycott threat or Infantino’s investment proposal, it is widely expected to support both. Infantino is seeking backing from FIFA’s 211 member associations for a controversial investment plan that could unlock up to US$40 million in football development funding for each association from 2027. The proposal has attracted particular attention in Malawi following FAM’s recent decision to invite bids for the construction of a beach soccer stadium in Blantyre. FAM president Fleetwood Haiya has not publicly said whether the proposed facility could benefit from the anticipated FIFA funding package. He has also remained silent on Infantino’s proposal and the FIFA president’s expected bid for another term. FAM has not publicly explained why Blantyre was selected for the beach soccer stadium ahead of Malawi’s lakeshore districts. Critics argue that locations such as Salima, Mangochi and Nkhata Bay would have been more natural choices because of their sandy beaches. Others say the project raises broader questions about how major sports infrastructure projects are distributed across Malawi. Concluding its statement, UEFA vowed that it would never allow football’s greatest prize to become an investment asset. “Some things are simply too important to sell,” the statement said. “The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.” There are growing indications that FIFA is courting American oligarchs and billionaire investors to buy stakes in the FIFA World Cup as part of Gianni Infantino’s controversial commercialisation plan.