UEFA and all 55 of its national associations have threatened to withdraw their teams from FIFA competitions in a dramatic stand against plans to introduce private ownership into the World Cup and other tournaments.
European football’s governing body announced the unanimous decision on Thursday, declaring that FIFA’s flagship competitions must remain under the stewardship of the game rather than become assets for outside investors.
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UEFA said the proposal had been developed behind closed doors and pushed towards approval without meaningful consultation with the organisations responsible for representing football around the world. It accused FIFA of abandoning its responsibility as the custodian of the global game and attempting to pressure national associations into accepting an irreversible change.
The European body’s central concern is that private investment would permanently alter how FIFA competitions are run. It warned that once investors acquired ownership stakes, the need to deliver commercial returns could influence decisions involving the international calendar, tournament formats and football’s long-term direction.
UEFA argued that the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters could eventually become secondary to shareholder demands.
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“The World Cup is not for sale,” the statement said.
UEFA has now raised the stakes by confirming that its national teams will refuse to enter any FIFA competition while the proposal remains under consideration. The boycott will only be lifted if FIFA abandons the plan completely and provides binding assurances that its competitions and governance will never be opened to private ownership.
UEFA insisted that the World Cup was built over generations and is held in trust for those who will inherit the game. It vowed to oppose the proposal with absolute determination, arguing that football’s future cannot be traded for immediate financial gain.
Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
