UEFA threatens World Cup boycott over FIFA investor deal

Europe’s football associations have unanimously threatened to boycott the World Cup if FIFA goes ahead with a planned deal to sell commercial rights to private investors, UEFA said after an emergency meeting on Thursday.

The European governing body said in an official statement that no UEFA national team would take part in any FIFA competition for as long as the proposals remained in place.

The 55 UEFA member associations made clear they were united in their opposition. “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one,” the statement said.

“We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.”

UEFA: The World Cup must not be treated as an investment product

The UEFA announcement covers not only the men’s 2030 World Cup but also the women’s World Cup next summer in Brazil.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose organization unveiled the surprise plans on Tuesday, now faces considerable pressure. Without European nations – including world champions Spain, England, France and Germany – the World Cup would lose all its sporting value.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies,” the UEFA statement said.