Uefa calls emergency meeting as opposition to Fifa plan hardens
Uefa has called an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations for Thursday to coordinate a response to Fifa president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, with a possible boycott of Fifa tournaments, including next year's Women's World Cup, under discussion. The row centres on a proposed new commercial entity, Fifa Forward Enterprise, which would sell a 20% stake to outside investors, and Uefa has accused Fifa of trying to "sell the soul" of football and of using the sport "to enrich themselves and their friends".
Uefa's opposition has been backed by Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, meaning the three confederations together hold 143 of Fifa's 211 votes, enough in principle to block the plan, though Czechia has already broken European ranks to support it. Infantino says he has secured more than 200 letters of endorsement ahead of his re-election next year and is confident of sufficient backing, but changing Fifa's statutes to allow the sale would require a 75% majority, a much higher bar. Tensions have deepened after it emerged Fifa set a 19 September deadline for associations to back the proposal or lose access to an initial $20m (£15m) payout, with a further $20m per association promised later.
- Uefa calls emergency meeting over Fifa's plan to sell World Cup stakes
- Concacaf and Asian confederation back Uefa; enough votes to possibly block plan
- Fifa's 19 September deadline ties $20m payouts to associations' support
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Fifa is the international governing body of football and organizes the World Cup, the biggest football competition watched by billions of people. The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, wants to create a new commercial body and sell shares to outside investors, meaning private companies would own stakes in World Cup profits and potentially influence decisions.
Uefa is the European football confederation, representing 55 national football associations. It leads opposition to the plan, arguing that selling shares compromises football's independence and allows profit-seeking investors to influence the sport. Other regional football bodies have joined Uefa's opposition, and together they control enough votes to potentially block the proposal.
The World Cup generates enormous revenue, and its governance affects not just professional football but grassroots sport worldwide. The dispute raises a fundamental question: should control of world sport rest with football organizations, or should private investors be able to profit from it?
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that selling a minority stake would bring substantial private capital into football, helping fund development across member associations while sharing the commercial risk of a costly global tournament. If the new entity had clear safeguards and transparent oversight, the investment might expand the game without giving investors control of Fifa or its competitions.
The case against
Opponents could argue that giving outside investors a stake in World Cup revenues risks putting private returns ahead of football’s long-term interests and weakening member associations’ influence over the sport. They may also see the funding deadline as undue pressure on associations, making independent scrutiny and consent essential before such a major change.