ALL 55 Uefa countries are to boycott the World Cup in protest against Fifa's proposed deal to sell stakes to private investment, it has been reported.
The European cohort has voted in support of the boycott for so long as proposals to create a company to run the World Cup remain alive, saying "the World Cup is not for sale".
Plans to sell stakes in a private company which would oversee all commercial and operational aspects of Fifa's competitions have drawn a furious reaction from Uefa, and raised concerns among European clubs and major leagues around the world.
Member associations gathered virtually for a crisis meeting on Thursday afternoon after Fifa's plans emerged on Tuesday.
What have Uefa said about the Fifa World Cup boycott?
The group's approach was unequivocal, with a Uefa statement confirming: “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 and its 55 member associations stand as one,” European football’s governing body added.
“We unanimously and unequivocally reject Fifa's proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.”
First Minister John Swinney posted on social media following the vote: "Scotland’s appearance at the World Cup this year shows exactly what the competition should be all about – the fans.
"The idea that it could be sold off to private investors is unacceptable and I support Uefa's action today. Fifa need to abandon these plans now."
He added: "Scotland gave football to the world and we will do everything we can to ensure it continues to belong to the fans. The World Cup must not be for sale."
UK Culutre Secretary Lisa Nandy said of Uefa's boycott plans: “This is a principled decision that we strongly support. Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand to protect our game.”
Is Fifa selling the World Cup?
Investors are to be given access to a term sheet and select materials in August, with investors submitting initial ‘Letters of Intent’ (LOIs) in September, indicating the amount they wish to invest.
Binding bids would be agreed in October and funds from investors would be transferred to Fifa by the end of that month.
Fifa issued details of its plans to create Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) after media reports from The Times and the Financial Times were published on Tuesday afternoon.
FFE would be owned and controlled by Fifa, the global body said, but the intention is to sell minority stakes to private investors. The lead investor is proposed to be Thrive Eternal, a company founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Fifa insists FFE would oversee the sale of commercial rights in, and operational delivery of, its tournaments, but that investors would have no say in determining matters such as the size and frequency of its big competitions, such as the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup.
However, there are major concerns that investors’ natural desire to maximise returns – and the need to fulfil promised increases in funding to national associations – will mean the inevitable growth of competitions, impacting the existing domestic and international football calendars.
Uefa's full statement on Fifa's plans for a private company to run its competitions
Uefa and its national associations will not participate in Fifa competitions.
Uefa and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject Fifa's proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other Fifa competitions to private investors.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of Fifa's duty as the custodian of world football.
National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game.
But our opposition goes far beyond process.
The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in Fifa competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.
This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain.
Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.
As a result of today’s discussion, 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.
Nobody should be in any doubt: Uefa and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.
There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments.
Some things are simply too important to sell. The Fifa World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.
