UEFA, AFC & CONCACAF Oppose Infantino’s World Cup Privatisation Plan

Three major football confederations—UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC—have released a joint letter criticising FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a short-lived proposal to sell private equity stakes in the World Cup, according to official statements. The governing bodies declared that football “belongs to no individual” and demanded a fully independent review into the governance failure.

Confederations Demand Independent Review Into Stake Sale Proposal

According to the confederations, leadership in the sport is not a possession or about demanding power. “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the three bodies wrote in their letter.

The controversy stems from an initial plan launched by Infantino to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Although FIFA withdrew the plan within days, it triggered immediate backlash. According to CNBC, UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions entirely unless the proposal was abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances were given regarding private ownership. FIFA had previously announced a plan to sell a 20 percent stake in a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise to raise up to $4.2 billion from third-party investors, noting that a private equity firm founded by Joshua Kushner was expected to lead the investor group.

Global Divide Highlights Financial Disparities Among Member Associations

While European and regional bodies push back against Infantino, other national associations rely heavily on global governing body funding for basic infrastructure. According to BBC Sport, Rogers Byamukama of the Ugandan Football Federation defended avenues that bring in more resources. “Football is a very expensive venture, especially on the African continent where the resources are not easy to come by,” Byamukama told the BBC World Service, noting that FIFA resources fund grassroots programs and schools.

This financial reliance creates a clear regional divide. While wealthy UEFA members heavily oppose private equity involvement, many associations in Africa and parts of Asia remain supportive of Infantino. Following an emergency meeting in Morocco, Africa’s confederation CAF released a statement backing Infantino on behalf of its 54 members. CONCACAF member Mexico and South American countries Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia also rallied behind the 56-year-old president.

Political Friction and Leadership Challenges at FIFA

Internal dissent reached a boiling point following an emergency meeting in Morocco, which critics noted featured only one elected official present. Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness subsequently called on Infantino to step down immediately. However, FIFA hit back against its critics, claiming a “concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the governing body, according to its official statements.

Nearly 70 of FIFA’s 211 member associations have stated publicly they will vote for Infantino, though about a dozen have either withdrawn previously promised support or stated they will withhold their votes. Meanwhile, FIFA continues to navigate broader expansion plans, with documents indicating the organization is considering expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament, following its expansion to 48 teams for the 2026 edition.

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