UEFA has threatened to boycott all FIFA tournaments if the organization’s president Gianni Infantino does not abandon his plan to sell part of the commercial rights to the World Cup to American private investors. All 55 UEFA members stated that they will not participate in future tournaments under FIFA’s auspices if these proposals are implemented, emphasizing that they “unanimously and unequivocally reject” this plan.
An emergency meeting that lasted nearly two hours concluded with a unified stance from the European associations, despite concerns that smaller federations might support Infantino’s initiative due to financial incentives. This week, European football associations are expected to send FIFA an official notice of their readiness to boycott future tournaments if FIFA does not abandon its plan to sell part of the commercial rights to the World Cup.
National associations can join this initiative until September 19; however, following UEFA’s decision, pressure on Infantino has significantly increased. He is now expected to revise or completely abandon his plan. Although most European football associations previously supported his re-election next March, UEFA’s current position considerably weakens his standing.
UEFA’s statement emphasizes: “As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national team will participate in any FIFA competitions as long as these proposals remain in effect, unless this proposal is completely rejected and mandatory guarantees are provided that FIFA will never again transfer the management or commercial rights of its tournaments to private investors.”
Details of the meeting and support for the boycott
The meeting on Thursday was opened by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, followed by addresses from members of the executive committee and UEFA representatives on the FIFA Council. These speeches set the tone for the discussion, after which about 20 heads of national associations spoke. According to meeting participants, the atmosphere was filled with “unity.”
Among those who spoke was the president of the English Football Association, Debbie Hewitt, who, according to one attendee, provided “very tough” arguments in favor of the boycott. Later, the Football Association of England stated: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective opinion. We oppose FIFA’s plans—the FIFA World Cup belongs to football and will always belong to it.”
At the senior level, the proposed boycott could begin as early as next year’s Women’s World Cup. The first tournament in the age categories likely to be boycotted will be the Women’s Under-20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5. Six of the 24 participating teams, including England, represent UEFA countries. The England women’s team is also set to play a two-legged playoff qualifier for the World Cup against Greece in October, which will be a serious test of the Football Association of England’s resolve if FIFA does not change its position.
International reaction and pressure on Infantino
UEFA has called on other football confederations to support its position. According to sources, several Asian countries are also critical of FIFA’s plans. The main support for Gianni Infantino has traditionally come from outside Europe, so any potential weakening of his support in other regions could significantly impact his position.
“National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of the biggest football competitions or face the consequences,” the UEFA statement said. “This is not a democratic decision, but management through intimidation—an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with managing world football.”
Sources in European football believe that UEFA’s decision increases the likelihood of a candidate emerging whom Europe will support in next year’s FIFA presidential elections, where Infantino was expected to run unopposed. UEFA has also held talks with the North American confederation CONCACAF, which opposes FIFA’s plans, although it has not yet officially supported the boycott.
The 41 associations of CONCACAF held their own emergency meeting at 17:30 British time to determine their further position on the crisis. The confederation’s decision is expected to be announced later. Meanwhile, several European football associations have already consulted with their governments, many of which have privately supported the idea of a boycott.
