Uefa has to show backbone: concrete action can make Fifa’s World Cup plans untenable | Nick Ames
Fifa's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors has provoked a sharp backlash from Uefa and national football associations, intensifying tensions with president Gianni Infantino just weeks after the tournament concluded. The proposal, announced only nine days after the final, could give private investors influence over how and when Fifa's tournaments are run, prompting Uefa to declare that it "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross" — echoing similarly strong language it used weeks earlier over the handling of the Folarin Balogun suspension row.
Fifa has given national associations until 19 September to decide whether to accept an initial $20m payment that would effectively endorse the new scheme, leaving little time for a coordinated European response. The World Cup itself generated a record $15bn, though Fifa has not detailed how this will be distributed. Infantino appears well placed to push his plans through, with more than 200 of Fifa's 211 member associations already backing his re-election bid, and England's FA among early supporters, reportedly keen to secure its hosting of the 2035 Women's World Cup; Germany is described as the most prominent holdout resisting pressure to fall in line.
- Fifa plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors, angering Uefa
- FAs must decide by 19 September on an initial $20m payment
- Over 200 of 211 Fifa members already back Infantino's re-election
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Fifa, the international body that governs professional football, is proposing to sell ownership stakes in the World Cup to private investors. This would give investors influence over how the tournament is run, something Uefa, the European football confederation, and many national associations have strongly opposed, arguing it crosses a line in how the sport should be governed.
The World Cup generated a record $15 billion in revenue, though Fifa has not yet disclosed how this money will be distributed. National football associations have been given a deadline of 19 September to decide whether to accept an initial $20 million payment that would signal their endorsement of the private investment scheme.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino appears well positioned to push his plans forward, with more than two hundred of Fifa's two hundred and eleven member associations already backing his re-election. England's football association has reportedly supported the proposal in hopes of securing the rights to host the 2035 Women's World Cup, whilst Germany is described as the most prominent nation resisting the pressure.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Uefa and the national associations have a strong case for resisting private investors’ influence over the timing and governance of the World Cup: decisions about football’s flagship tournament should remain accountable to the sport’s members, rather than shaped by investors’ returns. A coordinated refusal of the initial payment could protect that principle and press Fifa to explain how record revenues are distributed before associations endorse a major change.
The case against
Fifa could argue that outside investment may provide capital and commercial expertise to expand the tournament’s reach and support football development, while member associations retain formal oversight. Associations also have reason to consider the proposed payment and their own strategic interests, such as future hosting bids; rejecting the scheme without seeing its terms or distribution plans could forgo benefits before the consequences are clear.