Gianni Infantino talks through plans to sell stake in the World Cup as boycott threats continue

Gianni Infantino talks through his plans to sell a stake in the World Cup as boycott threats continue to emerge across the world.

FIFA have done their own interview with Infantino rather than face questions from the media.

He stated that football needs more commercial investment, saying the “proposal would unlock footballs potential”.

Gianni Infantino gave football associations until the 19th September supporting his plan to sell off part of FIFA to private investors with a $40m incentive to accept.

But the plan has been met with widespread criticism, with FA having deep concerns and UEFA even threatening to boycott the World Cup, with an emergency meeting of UEFA nations planned this week.

UEFA issued a further statement on FIFA plans, saying: “Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn.

“This says everything you need to know about this plan.

“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme.

“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly.

“It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”

FIFA and Infantino receive huge backlash for controversial plan to ‘sell the World Cup’

Gianni Infantino has created an arbitrary 53-day deadline to force through Member Association votes on contentious plans to sell FIFA stakes under a new subsidiary.

He calls this period a “democratic process”, but it’s one that is rushed and lacks transparency, and yet it has…

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 29, 2026

Infantino said: Well, FIFA Forward Enterprise or FFE is actually a proposal, an offer. It’s part of a democratic process, a consultation process. And above all, it is an opportunity, but not an obligation. And as I said, it kicks off the consultation process.

“If and only if. It is approved by the majority of our 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, it would be a FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary consolidating FIFA’s commercial and event operations.

“It would simply commercialise and organise all FIFA-owned competitions, along with sponsorship, broadcast licensing a new venture for the benefit of FIFA’s 111 member associations, however, unlocking previously uncaptured commercial value.

“Too little of football’s growing commercial value reaches the parts of the game that need it most.

“Capturing that value requires additional expertise, additional insight, distinct from governing and developing the sport.

“FIFA has been transformed over the past decade through sweeping governance reforms and a major expansion of development and competitions.

“Strengthening the commercial side of the game is the natural next step in this evolution.

“We believe that the FFE proposal would unlock the sport’s potential in every corner of the world across men’s, women’s, and youth’s football.

“In the next forward cycle alone, distributions would rise from $8 million per Member Association (MA) to $20 million.

“Additionally, each MA would also have the option to access a further $20 million through the FIFA Fast Forward Program, taking the potential funding to $40 million per MA for this next cycle.

“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally. But again, it is just an offer, not an obligation. And we are having the fiduciary duty to do so. And we are here to discuss it with everyone.

“Well, the fans, remain the cornerstone of the beautiful game and the sport they watch and love will not change, obviously continues to govern football without any external interference and the flagship tournament it organises like FIFA World Cup or FIFA Women’s World Cup will always remain.

“More revenue returned to the member associations means more investment in better pitches, stronger national teams, and more pathways for young girls and young boys everywhere in the world.

“We care about everyone. So the benefits of sustained investments, they are already visible. A decade of raising support through FIFA Forward helped nations like Capo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan reach the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. We want to help creating the next Capo Verdes.

“Fans from the corners of these four countries of the world and many many other fans from everywhere in the world would gain immeasurably from this game-changing potential because it will transform football in their countries. But again, it is simply a choice for our members.”

Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations

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.