All 55 member associations of The New York Times have voted to boycott FIFA soccer competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup, if FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors is approved. The unanimous decision was reached at an emergency virtual meeting chaired by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
UEFA Member Associations Vote to Boycott FIFA Competitions
The boycott stance would cover all FIFA competitions and be triggered if the proposals are voted through by member associations. The first test of this stance arrives in October, when Women’s World Cup play-offs are scheduled. UEFA stated that no European national teams will participate in any FIFA competition as long as the proposals remain alive, unless the proposal is abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances are given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.
FIFA’s Proposed Commercial Entity and Private Investment Plans
FIFA announced plans to create a new commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprises, or FIFA Forward Enterprise, to run its main events, such as the World Cups and Club World Cups, consolidating broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing operations. FIFA stated it would retain a majority stake and sole control of the new entity, while seeking to sell a significant minority stake of up to 21 percent to external investors based on an initial equity valuation of $20 billion, aiming to bring in $4.2 billion.
Among the potential investors is Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner. Greg Maffei, chief executive of Bann Ventures and former chief executive of Liberty Media during its acquisition and ownership of Formula One, is also involved in the establishment of the new entity.
Under the plan, funds raised from the sale would be used to increase annual payments to members and fund football development. FIFA set a deadline of September 19 for football federations to accept the plans. Infantino wrote to all 211 FIFA member associations stating they would receive an immediate one-off payment of $20 million if they backed the plan to sell off stakes, alongside additional funding increments. The proposal requires approval from FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council.
Global Opposition and Criticism from Continental Confederations
UEFA strongly condemned the plan, stating in a 470-word release that the World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product and is not for sale. UEFA criticized the proposal as having been conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without meaningful consultation, calling it an abdication of FIFA’s duty.
Opposition has also emerged from other continental bodies. The Asian Football Confederation, led by Sheikh Salman, expressed deep concern that FIFA’s unilateral actions undermine continental football based on solidarity, cooperation, and transparency, and noted that the initiative lacks support from all confederations. The leaders of CONCACAF, representing 41 countries in North and Central America and the Caribbean, expressed opposition and deep concern over a lack of due process before the plan was revealed. Additionally, the Confederation of African Football called on its 54 members to review FIFA’s plans, while Football Supporters Europe and U.K. political figures also voiced strong objections against the sell-off.
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