UEFA votes to boycott World Cup if private investor plan adopted

UEFA has formally opposed FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to open the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors. At an emergency meeting held in Geneva, the union’s 55 member associations voted unanimously that they would withdraw from the tournament if the reform were adopted. The decision was taken after a brief debate in which the associations cited concerns over the potential dilution of the sport’s integrity and the impact on national football development.

Infantino’s plan, announced earlier this year, seeks to allow private companies to bid for and manage the commercial exploitation of World Cup events, a move that could bring additional revenue but also increased commercial influence. UEFA argued that the proposal would undermine the collective bargaining power of its members and could lead to uneven distribution of benefits among football associations. The emergency vote reflects the union’s readiness to take decisive action should FIFA proceed with the changes.

The outcome of the vote places FIFA in a position where it must address UEFA’s objections before moving forward. While the federation has not yet announced a definitive response, the union’s threat of withdrawal signals that any future commercial arrangements for the World Cup will likely require broader consensus among the sport’s governing bodies.