Uefa votes to boycott Fifa events over private World Cup stakes
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Uefa’s 55 member associations have unanimously agreed to boycott Fifa competitions if plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to US-based private investors proceed. The move is intended to force Fifa to abandon the proposal and provide binding guarantees that its governance and competitions will not be opened to private ownership, significantly increasing pressure on president Gianni Infantino.
The boycott would begin with the Women’s World Cup next year, with the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland likely to be the first affected tournament; six of its 24 teams are from Uefa nations, including England. The vote was 55–0 after an emergency meeting lasting almost two hours, and Uefa has invited other confederations to join, while Concacaf is expected to consider its response.
- Uefa threatens a united boycott over World Cup private-investment plans.
- All 55 European associations supported the stance.
- Women’s tournaments would be affected first.
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Fifa is football’s global governing body, responsible for organising major international tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups. Uefa governs the sport in Europe and represents 55 national associations, whose teams are among the most prominent and commercially valuable in international football.
The dispute concerns reports that Fifa is considering allowing private investors, including US firms, to take stakes connected to World Cup competitions. Supporters of such arrangements may see them as a way to raise money, while critics are concerned about outside investors gaining influence over tournaments traditionally controlled by football bodies.
Gianni Infantino has led Fifa since 2016 and is expected to seek another term as president. A boycott by European teams would affect the scale, revenue and sporting strength of Fifa tournaments, because European nations have a major role in both men’s and women’s international football.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that a boycott is a proportionate defence of football’s integrity and public character. They contend that allowing private investors to take stakes in World Cup-related rights or assets could prioritise financial returns over sporting fairness, long-term development and the interests of national associations, players and supporters. A united European stance, they say, is necessary to secure binding protections rather than relying on assurances that could later be weakened.
The case against
Opponents argue that withdrawing teams from major tournaments would chiefly harm players, especially those in the women’s game, and supporters who would lose rare opportunities to compete and watch at the highest level. They may argue that carefully regulated private investment could provide capital for facilities, grassroots programmes and tournament growth without surrendering sporting control. In that view, Uefa should pursue negotiation, transparency and enforceable safeguards while keeping competitions open, rather than using a boycott that could deepen institutional conflict.
More coverage
- Daily Mail — England and fellow UEFA nations set to unanimously BOYCOTT World Cup after FIFA's plans to sell shares to private investors
- BBC Sport — Uefa to boycott World Cups if Fifa plans approved
- Variety — Soccer World Cup Boycott Backed Unanimously by All 55 UEFA Members Over FIFA Stake Sale
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Uefa agrees to boycott Fifa competitions if World Cup sell-off plans proceed”.