3 weeks ago
UEFA-Led Group Discusses Rival Tournaments in Challenge to FIFA
Some big groups that run soccer in Europe, North America and Asia are upset with FIFA, the group that runs soccer all over the world.
They want FIFA's leader, a man named Gianni Infantino, to leave.
He had a plan to make more money for FIFA with help from a big bank, but he stopped the plan.
Even after he stopped it, these soccer groups are still angry.
They are talking about making their own soccer tournaments instead of FIFA's.
They might even refuse to take part in the World Cup, the biggest soccer event in the world.
They wrote a letter saying they no longer trust Infantino and want someone else to check his work.
The first big tournament that could be affected is the Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
There will be a vote in March to pick FIFA's leader, and Infantino wants to stay for another term.
The soccer world is watching to see what happens next.
UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation have begun preliminary talks about holding rival international tournaments to FIFA.
The discussions are the latest challenge to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after he shelved a plan to spin off FIFA's commercial operations with JPMorgan Chase.
UEFA, whose members include the world's richest leagues, has led the push to oust Infantino and may boycott the World Cup if he remains president.
In an open letter on Monday, the three federations demanded an independent review of Infantino's World Cup proposal, saying trust has been broken.
The 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil would be the first major tournament affected by any boycott, and FIFA's next presidential election is in March.
- Who
- UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, in opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino
- What
- Preliminary discussions about launching rival international soccer tournaments to FIFA and a possible boycott of FIFA competitions
- Where
- The dispute centers on Switzerland-based FIFA; Brazil would host the 2027 Women's World Cup, the first major tournament affected
- When
- Discussions are at a preliminary stage; an open letter was sent Monday, and the next FIFA presidential election is in March
- Why
- The federations say trust has been broken and Infantino placed himself above the collective after his failed plan to spin off FIFA's commercial operations with JPMorgan Chase; UEFA is pushing to oust him
UEFA-led federations
FIFA under Infantino
FIFA commercial restructuring
UEFA-led federations
The three confederations demanded an independent review and accused Infantino of deception, saying he placed himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority.
FIFA under Infantino
FIFA pursued spinning off its commercial operations in a deal involving JPMorgan Chase to further monetize the game, a plan Infantino later shelved.
Boycott of FIFA tournaments
UEFA-led federations
UEFA is considering a boycott of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments, with rival competitions planned to give players international fixtures during any disruption.
FIFA under Infantino
FIFA's tournament circuit remains lucrative — the 2026 World Cup generated a record $9 billion — and Infantino plans to seek a third four-year term in the March election.
Key facts
- Key organizations
- UEFA, CONCACAF and Asian Football Confederation challenging FIFA
- FIFA president
- Gianni Infantino
- 2026 World Cup revenue
- Over $9 billion, a record
- First tournament affected by boycott
- 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil
- Next FIFA presidential election
- March
- Infantino's term plans
- Running for a third four-year term, the last he could serve
- FIFA membership
- More than 200 national associations in six regional confederations
- Commercial proposal
- Spin-off plan involving JPMorgan Chase, shelved by Infantino
Quotes
UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC
Representatives of the UEFA‑led coalition of football governing bodies
“"When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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