Uefa will boycott the World Cup and all Fifa competitions if Gianni Infantino’s controversial plans to sell off stakes in its major tournaments to external investors are voted through.
“Uefa and its 55 member associations stand as one,” a statement said following an emergency Uefa meeting on Thursday. “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.
“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.”
Uefa were left dismayed that Infantino has given Fifa’s member associations just 53 days to decide their position and were outraged by Infantino promising a $40m (£30m) windfall to nations who back the proposals, or have the one-off payment withdrawn. Uefa’s statement added: “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.”
A spokeswoman for the English FA echoed the Uefa sentiment, saying: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose Fifa’s plans – the Fifa World Cup belongs to football and always will.”
Uefa previously said that Infantino’s plans to sell off stakes in Fifa’s major tournaments to private investors, including members of Donald Trump’s family, “crossed a line”. Uefa also knows it will require support from another confederation to block Infantino’s plans, as Fifa only requires a majority (50 per cent plus one) vote from its 211 member associations.
Follow all the latest news after Uefa’s bombshell boycott threat, below
Infantino wants to sell the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?
Fifa members who vote through Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell the World Cup to investors will get $40m. Vote it down, and it’s just $10m. Here, chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere dissects the pitch football can’t refuse – and how Uefa are pushing back – in this week’s Inside Football newsletter:
Infantino wants to sell the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?
Fifa members who vote through Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell the World Cup to investors will get $40m. Vote it down, and it’s just $10m. Here, chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere dissects the pitch football can’t refuse – and how Uefa are pushing back – in this week’s Inside Football newsletter
Lawrence Ostlere30 July 2026 19:45
Scottish FA gives ‘unequivocal’ backing to Uefa boycott
The Scottish Football Association has “unequivocally” backed Uefa’s declaration that all European nations will boycott the World Cup until Fifa drops its controversial plans.
The SFA’s statement read: “The Scottish FA Board agrees unequivocally with the concerns raised by all (UEFA) members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance.
“The Board is fully supportive of the statement issued by UEFA following the meeting. We are also aligned with our fellow national associations who seek to ensure our collective voice is heard resoundingly, and that the Corinthian spirit which underpins the beautiful game – invented here in Scotland and shared with the world – is protected.”
Will Castle30 July 2026 19:30
Inside Uefa’s extraordinary World Cup boycott plans – and what Fifa might do next
At the start of the emergency meeting that saw Uefa drop “a nuclear bomb” on Gianni Infantino’s plans to privatise the World Cup, federation president Aleksander Ceferin uttered a phrase that would be echoed a few times over the next two hours.
Miguel Delaney30 July 2026 19:15
Czech Republic reverse stance
According to Uefa’s statement, all 55 member nations were in agreement over the boycott. This includes Czech Republic, whose FA yesterday backed Gianni Infantino’s sell-off plan.
“I can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football from working in close co-operation with [Fifa president] Gianni Infantino and his team,” Czech FA president David Trunda told Sky.
“Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of Fifa’s intentions.
“I was elected a little more than a year ago, and for me personally all the projects I have experienced in cooperation with Fifa have been very positive for the development of European football.”
This position has clearly been reversed.
Will Castle30 July 2026 19:00
What are the 55 countries involved in Uefa’s boycott?
Uefa’s 55 member associations are as follows:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Scotland
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Wales
Will Castle30 July 2026 18:45
What happens now?
First, let’s see how all the other confederations respond – and whether they also agree to a boycott.
Asia (AFC) and North America (CONCACAF) have all voiced their opposition and disapproval of the plans in the last few days. The South American and African federations, however, have been quiet so far.
Really though, it’s now over to Fifa.
Will Infantino and his executives plough on undeterred with their plans? Or will they modify, amend or abandon their proposals, given the uproar across Europe?
Will Castle30 July 2026 18:30
What tournaments will Uefa’s boycott cover?
It will cover all Fifa-sanctioned tournaments covering national teams. As it stands, the boycott will not cover club teams, meaning the planned 2029 Fifa Club World Cup would not be affected.
As such, the first senior tournament would be the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, taking place between 24 June and 25 July, in Brazil next year.
Europe have 11 guaranteed slots in the 32-team competition. Spain are the defending champions, while England were finalists last time out in Australia.
England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all have scheduled play-off qualifiers in October, which are organised by Uefa. Whether these matches specifically will go ahead, therefore, is yet to be confirmed.
The next men’s World Cup takes place in 2030 in Spain, Portugal and Morocco – with opening games in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The next Fifa tournament at any age group is the 2026 Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which starts on 5 September in Poland. Six European teams, including England, were set to compete.
The 2026 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, for which England did not qualify, starts on 19 November in Qatar.
Kieran Jackson30 July 2026 18:15
What have Uefa agreed?
An emergency virtual meeting on Thursday was held between all 55 national associations which are members of Uefa, European football’s governing body.
In a lengthy statement, Uefa confirmed that “no Uefa national teams will participate in any Fifa competition for so long as these proposals remain alive” – adding “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.”
It added: “Nobody should be in any doubt: Uefa and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.”
Kieran Jackson30 July 2026 18:00
What have Caf said?
Caf, the confederation for Africa, displayed an openness to consider the proposal by Fifa and encouraged other members to take a similar attitude.
“The Confederation Africaine de Football (Caf) received correspondence today from Fifa on the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise initiative, in accordance with the consultation process that is currently underway with Fifa Member Associations and the Fifa Council,” a statement read.
“As part of this consultation process, the Caf President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the Caf Executive Committee next week, to inter-alia, assess and evaluate the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise initiative.
“Caf also encourages its Member Associations to examine the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal and participate in the consultation process in accordance with Caf and Fifa’s regulations and established procedures.
“Caf is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, Fifa, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”
Will Castle30 July 2026 17:45
What have the AFC said?
The AFC, Asia’s confederation, echoed the concerns of Concacaf surrounding the lack of consultation from Fifa.
Its statement read: “The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels.
“While the AFC recognises the importance of exploring innovative approaches that can strengthen the future of global football, initiatives of this scale and consequence must be founded upon the principles of good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation.
“Decisions that may reshape the commercial and financial future of the game require comprehensive prior engagement with Confederations, Member Associations and other relevant stakeholders before any proposal is made to the appropriate decision-making body(ies).
“The AFC firmly believes that all stakeholders should be provided with sufficient information and adequate time to assess the proposal in full, including its governance, legal, commercial and strategic implications.
“Such a process is essential to ensuring that any decision reflects the collective interests of the global football community and reinforces confidence in Fifa’s governance framework.
“As one of global football’s six Confederations, the AFC remains committed to the continued growth of world football.”
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa branded Fifa’s lack of consultation with its members as “totally unacceptable in a latter to the regional body’s 47 member federations on Thursday, adding: “The AFC notes with great concern and disappointment that it was not consulted by FIFA at any level prior to the public announcement of this proposal.
“And nor has it received any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal and its potential repercussions, which is totally unacceptable.
“Furthermore, the AFC is deeply concerned that Fifa’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency.”
Will Castle30 July 2026 17:30