Emergency talks over a potential World Cup boycott are expected this week after FIFA's proposal to establish a private company to oversee its competitions provoked a furious backlash across European football.
UEFA condemns FIFA plan
UEFA declared the World Cup is "not an asset to trade" after FIFA confirmed plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new company that would manage commercial rights and operational delivery of its competitions. The development has heightened tensions between the two bodies, with the Press Association reporting "much discontent and serious concerns" among UEFA member nations. An emergency meeting has not been formally confirmed but sources believe it is inevitable, with European associations expected to discuss a coordinated response, including the possibility of boycotting future World Cups if FIFA proceeds.
US political scrutiny
The controversy comes as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been called to appear before the US House Judiciary Committee after Democrats accused football's governing body of seeking special treatment from the Trump administration. The committee is also investigating soaring World Cup ticket prices and allegations that FIFA sought political favours relating to corruption investigations. The row deepened after FIFA revealed that Thrive Eternal, a company launched by Joshua Kushner – brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner – would lead the proposed investor group behind FFE.
FIFA defends proposal
FIFA insists the new company would remain under its control and would allow the organisation to generate significantly more money for football development worldwide. It said total development spending would exceed 10 billion US dollars (£7.5bn) over the next four years if the plans receive approval from national associations and the FIFA Council. Under the proposal, FIFA would sell minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE to carefully selected long-term investors. FIFA stressed outside investors would have no operational role and that it would retain "exclusive authority" over football governance, competitions, the international calendar and all sporting and regulatory decisions.
UEFA's strong response
UEFA issued a strongly-worded response, accusing FIFA of crossing a line. "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross," UEFA said. "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."
National associations are waiting to receive formal letters from FIFA before mobilising, but sources indicated there was "likely to be mobilisation" once those documents arrive. Reports have also suggested Infantino himself could eventually take charge of the new company. The Times claimed the FIFA president could become commissioner or chief executive of FFE from 2031, although FIFA's announcement made no mention of any future executive role for him.
Valuation and concerns
FFE has an implied valuation of around 20 billion US dollars (£15bn), with the vast majority linked to the men's World Cup. FIFA is expected to confirm the 2026 tournament in North America generated around 15 billion US dollars (£11bn) in revenue. FIFA also confirmed investment bank JP Morgan had been engaged to work alongside it on the proposal. Critics fear private investors could place greater pressure on FIFA to maximise revenues by expanding competitions or even holding a World Cup more than every four years. Infantino has already indicated discussions will take place over increasing the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.
Relations between FIFA and UEFA have deteriorated sharply in recent months. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin chose not to attend this month's World Cup final in protest at a series of governance decisions he opposed. The Football Association was caught by surprise, with the PA news agency understanding it was unaware of FIFA's plans until they were announced publicly on Tuesday.
Political opposition has also mounted in the United States. Congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said FIFA was "now going directly into business with the Trump family", accusing the organisation of pursuing a multibillion-dollar deal with Joshua Kushner to sell ownership stakes in the World Cup to private investors. PA understands FIFA has been approached for a response to Raskin's comments.
