FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suffered another setback to his plan to sell a minority stake in the World Cup to external investors after CONCACAF rejected the proposal and UEFA announced a boycott of FIFA competitions.
CONCACAF's three-pronged response
The 41 CONCACAF nations have rejected Infantino's proposal and called for greater transparency and proper governance. They have tasked their FIFA Council members with engaging FIFA to determine how existing reserves could boost FIFA Forward funding for development, and instructed the FIFA President to ensure proper governance processes are followed according to FIFA Statutes.
UEFA's unanimous boycott
UEFA confirmed its 55 member associations unanimously rejected the plan, which would see FIFA raise £3.1bn by selling a minority stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) – a vehicle combining commercial rights including sponsorship, ticketing, licensing and broadcasting. UEFA said no national teams will participate in any FIFA competition while the proposal remains alive, unless it is abandoned entirely with binding assurances against future private ownership.
"This model has no place in world football," UEFA stated. "Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return." The Football Association and Scottish FA have also voiced support for the European stance.
Infantino's ultimatum
Infantino had written to FIFA members warning that those who do not support the proposal by September 19, 2026 could miss out on financial benefits. The plan requires backing from more than half of member nations and the ruling council.
