7/30/2026

The BBC is reporting a dramatic rebuke from the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) with a threat of an all-out boycott from it’s 55 members of all  FIFA organized tournaments and events including any further World Cups if FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell off private shares to investment groups is pushed through.

The threat should be taken with extreme seriousness with the 55 members of the powerful European association. In the recently concluded World Cup, 6 of the 8 quarterfinalist came from UEFA including the Champions, Spain. UEFA’s 55 members make up just 25% of FIFA’s members but clearly without UEFA there is no World Cup.

Other associations have also voiced displeasure with Infantino’s announcement citing the lack of transparency calling it a “backroom deal” that will kill the biggest sporting event in the world. UEFA called an emergency meeting and came out with a unanimous vote to oppose and boycott FIFA is it is approved.

Concacaf who represents North and Central America have stated they are deeply concerned but so far have not made any official statements or actions along with the other FIFA members. 

The proposal is would create a commercial branch of FIFA to sell stakes to private investors or investment groups. If the idea is approved Infantino says each member would receive up to 40 million dollars. Infantino said that “Thrive Eternal” would likely be the lead investor. Thrive is an American firm ked by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner who is President Trump’s son-in-law.

None of the FIFA members have come out in support of this idea at this time.

For more on this story, you can read the story from the BBC’s, Simon Stone – Chief football news reporter and Jack Skelton – BBC Sport senior journalist on this link.

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