UEFA has announced that its 55 member associations are prepared to boycott all FIFA competitions if proposals to allow private investment in the FIFA World Cup move forward.
The warning follows reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is pursuing plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights associated with future World Cups to a United States-based private investment group.
In a statement, UEFA said none of its member nations would participate in FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, if the proposal remains in place.
“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,” the statement read.
UEFA argued that the World Cup represents one of football’s greatest sporting legacies and should not be treated as a commercial investment asset.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” the organisation added.
If implemented, the boycott would affect several of world football’s biggest nations, including Germany, France, England and reigning world champions Spain.
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) also announced its opposition to the proposal.
Infantino earlier this week unveiled plans to sell a stake in FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), a move expected to raise about $20 billion in exchange for investor influence over the commercial and broadcasting rights of future FIFA World Cups.
According to reports, the proposed investment is being backed by businessman Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Under the proposal, FIFA’s 211 member associations would collectively receive payouts of more than $80 million each between now and 2037. Member associations have until September 19 to vote on the proposal, which requires majority approval to take effect.