SOCCER: UEFA to boycott FIFA tournaments over World Cup stake plan

LONDON — European soccer's governing body UEFA and its 55 member nations have voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments, escalating opposition to the global soccer body's proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to external investors.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Thursday, UEFA said its members unanimously rejected FIFA's plan, which has sparked controversy among regional confederations just weeks after the World Cup was held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors," UEFA said, warning that allowing private ownership of FIFA competitions would permanently change the sport's governance and priorities.

Six of the top 10 ranked teams in both men's and women's soccer are from Europe, including reigning men's world champions Spain, highlighting the continent's influence in global soccer.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and its 41 member associations also rejected FIFA's proposal, although the Mexican Football Federation said it would wait for further discussions organized by FIFA before making a final decision.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also criticized the plan, saying FIFA's proposal would not succeed without support from all six continental confederations. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa said the organization was not consulted before FIFA announced the plan and described the lack of financial, legal and governance details as unacceptable.

UEFA's decision has immediate implications for upcoming FIFA events, including the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Spain and Portugal are also scheduled to co-host the 2030 Men's World Cup with Morocco.

Members of UEFA voted 55-0 in favor of the boycott, according to a soccer source who spoke to Reuters.

"We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors," UEFA said.

"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed creating a $20 billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and other FIFA events, with minority stakes offered to private investors.

The proposal would provide FIFA's 211 member associations with $40 million each if they approve the plan by Sept. 19. The funding package, which would begin on Jan. 1, 2027, is part of a wider $10 billion initiative.

If the proposal is rejected, FIFA's previously announced funding package of $2.7 billion, or about $10 million per member association, would remain in place.

UEFA said the World Cup "is not for sale" and should not be treated as an investment product.

"This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football," UEFA said.

FIFA has defended the plan as a way to expand financial support for its member associations. Infantino, who is seeking reelection as FIFA president next year, has described the move as an effort to promote greater global access to the sport's resources.

However, critics argued that the proposal could shift control of soccer competitions away from fans and governing bodies.

Britain's culture minister Lisa Nandy supported UEFA's position, saying the sport should be protected from excessive influence by private investors.

UEFA and FIFA have long competed for influence in soccer, a sport that has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. UEFA's elite club competitions generated €4.4 billion ($5 billion) during the 2024/25 season.

CONCACAF said its member associations raised concerns over FIFA's lack of consultation, limited review period and absence of approval from relevant governance bodies.

"The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance," CONCACAF said in a statement.

The African confederation's executive committee is expected to review FIFA's proposal next week, while the Oceania Football Confederation said it will discuss the matter at a meeting next month.

South American governing body CONMEBOL has not yet publicly commented on the proposal.

The global players' union FIFPRO has also opposed the plan, warning that it could significantly alter the incentives and structures surrounding international competitions. -Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Ian Ransom, Michael Church, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Frank Pingue, Janina Rios Nuno and Rory Carroll; Editing by Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond and Ken Ferris/Reuters