UEFA threatens World Cup boycott, putting Infantino under pressure

Two days after FIFA announced plans to sell the commercial rights to its tournaments, the European governing body stated on Thursday that no UEFA would boycott FIFA competitions 'as long as these proposals remain in place.'

Uefa have agreed to boycott the World Cup and all Fifa tournaments if Infantino’s proposals to privatise its competitions are voted through

FIFA have issued a fresh statement insisting that “nobody is selling football” after the UEFA has threatened to boycott any future tournaments

UEFA’s member associations said they would not participate in any FIFA tournament until a plan to sell stakes in a World Cup company was withdrawn.

European nations agreed Thursday to boycott the World Cup and all other FIFA competitions to protest Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in soccer’s biggest tournament to private equity investors. The North American soccer body rejected his plan later the same day.

It's been a seismic 48 hours for football after Uefa threatened to boycott the World Cup and Concacaf rejected Gianni Infantino's funding plan - what happens now, and can Fifa's president survive?

UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions over Gianni Infantino's $20 billion investor plan, saying the World Cup should never be privately owned.

“UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions,” UEFA said after the meeting. The next FIFA event on the calendar is the Women's Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Poland from September 5.

FIFA has faced backlash from global soccer governing bodies over the proposal to allow private investment.

3 min readUpdated: Jul 30, 2026 10:16 PM IST The FIFA World Cup soccer trophy is displayed during the opening ceremony of the International Broadcast Center, Monday, June 1, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)European football’s governing body UEFA’s member associations on Thursday unanimously voted to boycott t

European football's governing body UEFA said Thursday it would boycott the World Cup should FIFA press ahead with its private investor plan

UEFA and its 55 members reject FIFA’s plan to sell World Cup ownership to private investors, threatening a boycott if the proposal proceeds. The World Cup

Uefa said its position will not change until Fifa’s proposal is abandoned.

The governing body's plan welcoming investors to purchase World Cup-related commercial rights has drawn criticism from around the world.

After an urgent online meeting of the 55 members, the European soccer body said: “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.”

After an urgent online meeting of the 55 members, the European soccer body said: “UEFA and its national associations will not participate in FIFA competitions.”

UEFA member countries agree to boycott FIFA competitions in protest at private equity plan for World Cup.

All European nations have vowed to boycott the World Cup if Fifa proceeds with plans to sell off stakes in a new commercial vehicle following a Uefa crisis summit.  England’s Football Association and the other 54 members of European governing body Uefa held emergency talks today to discuss their response to Fifa’s prop