UEFA and its 55 member associations have unanimously voted to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with its plan to sell commercial rights to private investors. The decision was announced on Thursday, 30 July 2026, following an emergency meeting of UEFA's member associations.

The boycott threat comes in response to FIFA's proposal to sell a 20% stake in a subsidiary company that would run FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. According to reports, this plan could generate billions of dollars but has faced strong opposition from UEFA and other football associations. The plan includes selling stakes to private investors, including Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

UEFA's statement was clear and unequivocal: "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," UEFA said in a statement.

FIFA has defended its plan, stating that it will continue with the consultation process despite the backlash. In a statement on Friday, 31 July 2026, FIFA said it respects the feedback and concerns expressed but blamed "inaccurate media reports" for disrupting the consultation process. "No one is selling football. This is something FIFA would never consider," FIFA said. The statement also emphasized FIFA's commitment to an open and democratic consultation process.

The plan has also been criticized by other football associations. Concacaf, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has also rejected FIFA's proposals. In a statement, Concacaf expressed displeasure with the lack of proper procedure, the artificially shortened deadline, and the lack of any review or approval by the responsible FIFA bodies. However, Concacaf has not threatened a boycott.

FIFA has set a deadline of 19 September for member associations to accept the plan, with a payment of $20 million due on 1 January. A simple majority of 106 members is sufficient to pass the proposal.

UEFA vice-president and ex-Wales international Laura McAllister has spoken out against the plan, stating that it is a problem created by FIFA and that no one wants the players or nations to suffer.

The next senior matches in a FIFA competition are the Women's World Cup play-offs in October, which feature England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland among others.

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„Dann wird er nicht durchkommen, sagt Hoeneß und lässt seine Ablehnung für Infantino durchblicken Uli Hoeneß mischt sich in die Debatte um die Investorenpläne der Fifa ein. Die Boykottdrohung der Uefa begrüßt er – und stellt die Stärke der Europäer heraus. In der Personalie Max Eberl legt sich Hoeneß eindeutig fest.

welt.de · about 4 hours ago

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bluesky_The Guardian · about 4 hours ago

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bbc sport · about 4 hours ago

Uefa Draws Line in Sand Over Infantinos World Cup Privatisation Scheme

gdeltproject.org · about 4 hours ago

„Niemand verkauft den Fußball: Fifa verteidigt umstrittene Investoren-Pläne gegen heftige Kritik Trotz der Boykott-Drohung der Uefa hält die Fifa an ihren umstrittenen Investoren-Plänen fest. Die Fifa spricht von Zukunftsgestaltung und „demokratischen Grundsätzen.

tagesspiegel · about 4 hours ago

Fifa hält trotz Uefa-Boykottdrohung an WM-Investorenplänen fest Die Uefa und ihre 55 Verbände drohen mit dem Boykott der WM, sollte die Fifa Investoren beteiligen. Der Weltverband hält am Vorhaben fest: Niemand verkaufe den Fußball.

welt.de · about 4 hours ago

Einstimmiger Beschluss – Europäer drohen Fifa mit WM-Boykott Die Mitglieder der Europäischen Fußball-Union UEFA drohen dem Weltverband geschlossen mit einem Boykott aller FIFA-Wettbewerbe, falls dieser den geplanten Investorendeal durchzieht.

welt.de · about 5 hours ago

FirstFT: Europe vows World Cup boycott in Fifa protest Also in todays newsletter: Europes wildfire risks and the Nostradamus of AI

financial times · about 5 hours ago

BREAKING FIFA vows to press on with its proposed private investment plan despite fierce backlash from European football governing body UEFA and others

bluesky_AFP English · about 5 hours ago

FIFA antwortet Uefa: „Niemand verkauft den Fußball Der Plan der FIFA, Anteile an der Fußball-WM zu verkaufen, sorgt für Proteste. Die Europäer drohen mit einem Boykott. Nun verteidigt sich der Verband von Gianni Infantino.

faz · about 5 hours ago

Infantino kan historische UEFA-opstand niet negeren: Draait allemaal om macht Nooit kwamen Europese voetballanden zo in opstand tegen de FIFA als door de kwestie over de verkoop van commerciële rechten van WKs. Hoewel Gianni Infantino Europa niet nodig heeft, kan de FIFA-baas de aangekondigde boycot niet negeren.

nu.nl · about 5 hours ago

Politiken: Red Card for FIFA FIFA President Gianni Infantinos plan to sell parts of the World Cup for 27 billion faces harsh criticism and threats of a boycott from UEFA and DBU. Football has become big business at the expense of the sport. To preserve the soul of the game, we must support and engage in the local and lower […]

cphpost · about 5 hours ago

FIFA pushes criticized investor plan despite backlash The International Football Association (Fifa) announced in a statement on Friday that it will proceed with the consultation process regarding a proposed sale of an ownership stake in its tournaments, including parts of the World Cup. This announcement comes after the European Football Association (Uefa) led massive criticism of the plans. On Thursday, Uefa stated […]

cphpost · about 5 hours ago

How JPMorgan walked into another football firestorm After getting caught up in the Super League controversy, the US bank has been instrumental in Fifas plans to raise billions

financial times · about 5 hours ago

Fußball-Streit um Investoren: Wie ein slowenischer Anwalt den WM-Milliardenplan torpediert Mehr Geld für alle, mehr Einfluss für die USA und Infantino als künftiger Geschäftsführer: Die FIFA hat ihren WM-Deal gut durchdacht. Doch in Europa organisiert ein Slowene massiven Widerstand.

tagesspiegel · about 5 hours ago

England and fellow UEFA nations set to unanimously BOYCOTT World Cup after FIFAs plans to sell shares to private investors - as American bloc also unites to oppose proposals England and other UEFA nations are prepared to boycott the next World Cup should FIFA go ahead with their plans to sell shares of their flagship tournament.

dailymail · about 6 hours ago

En menaçant la FIFA de boycott de la Coupe du monde, lUEFA met sous pression Gianni Infantino Deux jours après lannonce du projet de la Fédération internationale de football de lancer une société commerciale, linstance européenne a assuré, jeudi, quaucune équipe continentale ne prendrait part à des compétitions de la FIFA « tant que ces propositions resteront dactualité ».

le monde · about 6 hours ago

UEFA says it will boycott World Cup if FIFA pushes private investor proposal European footballs governing body UEFA said on Thursday it would boycott the World Cup if FIFA pressed ahead with its private investor plan. "No UEFA national teams will…

japantoday · about 7 hours ago

Nearly All of Europe Vow to Boycott World Cup Over Plan for Kushner Family Sale

gdeltproject.org · about 7 hours ago

KNVB joins UEFA threat to boycott FIFA competitions over World Cup investment plans The KNVB said it opposes FIFAs plans to further commercialize the World Cup, reaffirming its position after a UEFA meeting.

nltimes.nl · about 8 hours ago

S návrhem FIFA nesouhlasím, kompletní informace má asi jen Infantino, zlobí se Tvrdík Členské státy Evropské fotbalové unie (UEFA) se dohodly na bojkotu mistrovství světa a dalších soutěží, pokud mezinárodní federace FIFA prodá práva na vrcholné světové turnaje soukromým investorům. „FIFA není majitelem práv, ona je pouze správcem. Mistrovství světa patří asociacím, klubům, hráčům a fanouškům, řekl pro Radiožurnál člen Výkonného výboru Fotbalové asociace České republiky Jaroslav Tvrdík.

irozhlas.cz · about 8 hours ago

Fußball-Zwist: Hoeneß: WM ohne Europäer kann man „in die Tonne treten Bayerns Ehrenpräsident Uli Hoeneß begrüßt die Boykott-Androhung der Europäer. Zu FIFA-Boss Infantino hat er eine starke Meinung, will diese aber noch nicht äußern.

tagesspiegel · about 8 hours ago

Concacaf: WM-Gastgeberländer stellen sich gegen Fifa-Investorenpläne Nach der Uefa lehnen auch die Fußballverbände Nord- und Mittelamerikas den Verkauf von WM-Anteilen an Privatinvestoren ab. Der Rückhalt für Fifa-Chef Infantino schwindet.

die zeit · about 9 hours ago

Russia and Belarus will remain excluded from most major international ice hockey tournaments next season, the sports world governing body said on Thursday, citing "ongoing safety, security and sporting integrity concerns". #Russia #IIHF

mastodon bot · about 9 hours ago

Bojkottálják a világbajnokságot az európai válogatottak, ha a FIFA nem tesz le a privatizációs terveiről Határozott fellépéssel hiúsítaná meg az UEFA Infantino tervét, amivel a Trump-család kezébe adná a világbajnokságokat.

444.hu · about 9 hours ago

Uefa to boycott World Cup if Fifa plans approved UEFAs member associations have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in protest at FIFAs plan to sell stakes to external investors in a subsidiary that will run the global governing bodys tournaments, European soccers governing body said following a virtual meeting on Thursday. World soccers ruling body said on Tuesday […]

cyprus mail · about 9 hours ago

UEFA says will boycott World Cup if FIFA pushes private investor proposal European footballs governing body UEFA said on Thursday it would boycott the World Cup if FIFA pressed ahead with its private investor plan. "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," UEFA said in a statement. FRANCE 24s James Vasina reports.

france24 · about 9 hours ago

WM-Deal droht zu platzen: Nach UEFA: Nächster Verband stellt sich gegen FIFA-Plan Die UEFA leistet massiven Widerstand gegen den in dieser Woche vorgeschlagenen Investorendeal der FIFA. Nun erhalten die Europäer unerwartete Unterstützung.

tagesspiegel · about 9 hours ago

UEFA Vows World Cup Is Not for Sale as Europe Threatens Total FIFA Boycott

gdeltproject.org · about 9 hours ago

UEFAs World Cup boycott explained — and what happens next?

gdeltproject.org · about 9 hours ago