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DeanoAustin
Jack Jull
You know, this is one of the most distasteful parts of those whole thing. Any nation who supports the proposal gets a payment. That's a f**king shocking way to run the organisation. It's not an impartial vote based on what associations believe is right for the game.
On the other side, FIFA will say they are generating revenue to develop the game around the world. The bit they leave out is "...but only if you do what we tell you".
Most Trumpian.
SirPercyHotspur
Clive Wilson
If it was unanimous then Spain and Portugal have voted to boycott their own world cup, interesting.
Hope UEFA keep to this and see what FIFA do , without Europe the world cup is nothing.
Hope UEFA keep to this and see what FIFA do , without Europe the world cup is nothing.
Full UEFA statement :
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations
Thursday, July 30, 2026
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.
© 1998-2026 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations
Thursday, July 30, 2026
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.
© 1998-2026 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Kandi1977
Ralph Coates
That's a pretty strong statement! Much clearer and much less formal than I'd ever imagine. Absolutely brilliant! Hope this is the beginning of the end of Infantino!
He's an absolute disgrace and should be hounded out of Fifa and stoned.
Yes I am surprised at how absolute it is.
Let’s see what happens next and if any FAs change their stance.
FolkestoneSpur
Kasey Keller
Well played Carlsberg
K.D.D.D.D.Soc
Andy Thompson
Well at least Trump's bombers wont have to travel far to bomb Europe into submission.
Jurgen the German
George Hunt
I guess it's like @Baleforce has often said: the world cup isn't about sport, it's about advertising
If it was up to him there would a hydration break every 5 minutes and goals would be outlawed.
K.D.D.D.D.Soc
Andy Thompson
If EUFA stick to thier statement will these philanthropists who want to help all these poor kids with nowhere to play or equipment still want a slice of the cake? If they pull out where's he going to get the money to buy his votes?.
Lost Mango
Didier Zokora
Head of Asian Confederation now questioning it as well.
DeanoAustin
Jack Jull
Concacaf have now rejected the proposal and say they're losing or have lost confidence in Infantino.
This is falling apart faster than the Super League.
I'm actually quite interested to see the nuts and bolts of the proposal. I can't imagine I'll like it or my opinion will change but it's an absolute embarrassment for Infantino that he's met with this much resistance before his proposal has been properly presented. Says a lot about what people think of him and his methods. And, in this case, people are right IMO.
This is falling apart faster than the Super League.
I'm actually quite interested to see the nuts and bolts of the proposal. I can't imagine I'll like it or my opinion will change but it's an absolute embarrassment for Infantino that he's met with this much resistance before his proposal has been properly presented. Says a lot about what people think of him and his methods. And, in this case, people are right IMO.
Gutter Boy
Tim Sherwood
Sounds good. Maybe get CONMEBOL involved. Call it the Globe Cup, or something similar. 32 teams. Two 45 minute halves. 15 minute half times. Red cards result in suspensions. No VAR. They might be on to something.
NoLimits01
Neil Ruddock
Will never catch on