UEFA members to boycott FIFA competitions over World Cup private equity plan

UEFA’s senior officials announced on Tuesday that a coalition of member associations will abstain from all FIFA‑organized competitions until the governing body reverses a proposed private‑equity acquisition of the 2026 World Cup commercial rights. The decision, taken after an emergency meeting in Zurich, was driven by concerns that the deal – which would place the tournament’s sponsorship, broadcasting and marketing revenues under the control of a consortium of private‑equity firms – could undermine the sport’s governance structure and threaten the financial stability of national associations.

The boycott, initially signed by 23 of Europe’s 55 UEFA members, includes the English, German, Spanish, Italian and French federations, among others, and will affect participation in upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the Nations League and the Women’s World Cup. FIFA has warned that non‑compliance could lead to sanctions, while its president has called for “constructive dialogue” to address the members’ grievances. Negotiations are slated to begin later this month, with both sides acknowledging that a resolution will be critical to preserving the integrity of the international calendar and avoiding further disruption to the sport’s premier events.