Archive · 30 Jul 2026
UEFA Threatens Boycott Over FIFA Selloff Proposal 2026
UEFA, the group that runs European football, said it might stop all its teams from playing in FIFA tournaments if FIFA goes ahead with a big money‑raising plan.
The plan would create a new company called FIFA Forward Enterprise that could be worth about $20 billion.
FIFA wants to raise up to $4.2 billion from investors, but UEFA says this turns the World Cup into a product to sell.
UEFA’s leaders met on 30 July and warned that no European team would play in any FIFA competition until the plan is cancelled.
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, said the proposal is optional and a chance to grow football, but UEFA disagrees.
The decision matters because many European teams are key voters in FIFA’s 211‑member council, and the vote is due on 19 September.
If UEFA follows through, it could stop FIFA’s big commercial plans and change how football is run worldwide.
UEFA has signaled a potential boycott of FIFA tournaments if Infantino proceeds with sell‑off plans.
The boycott would bar all UEFA national teams from FIFA competitions until the proposals are withdrawn.
Infantino’s plan involves creating FIFA Forward Enterprise, a $20 billion entity to raise up to $4.2 billion.
UEFA says the World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product and views the proposal as a threat to football’s integrity.
The decision comes after a virtual crisis meeting on 30 July and before FIFA’s 19 September vote deadline.
- Who
- UEFA, FIFA, Gianni Infantino
- What
- UEFA threatens to boycott FIFA tournaments over a proposed sell‑off plan
- When
- 30 July meeting; 19 September vote deadline; 2026‑2027 tournaments
- Where
- Europe, Zurich, worldwide FIFA events
- Why
- UEFA opposes treating the World Cup as an investment and fears loss of control
- Proposed entity
- FIFA Forward Enterprise
- Estimated value
- $20 billion
- Target raise
- $4.2 billion
- Boycott threat
- UEFA national teams
- Vote deadline
- 19 September 2024
- Key event
- World Cup 2026