UEFA Weighs FIFA World Cup Boycott Over $4.2 Billion Investment Plan

UEFA is considering a boycott of future FIFA competitions, including the FIFA World Cup, following plans by world soccer’s governing body to sell a minority stake in a newly created commercial entity, according to multiple media reports released Tuesday. The dispute emerged after FIFA formally announced a proposal to bring private investors into part of its commercial operations, prompting sharp criticism from European football officials.

FIFA confirmed it intends to establish a new subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise, which will oversee the organization’s commercial and event-related operations. Under the proposal, FIFA plans to sell a 20% minority stake in the company, valuing the new entity at approximately $20 billion and raising an estimated $4.2 billion in 2026. The transaction was first reported by The Times and the Financial Times.

The governing body said it will remain the majority owner of FIFA Forward Enterprise and retain full authority over tournament scheduling, governance, regulatory matters and competition management. FIFA also stated that each of its 211 member associations would receive $20 million in funding if the deal is approved, while annual financial support to member federations would continue to increase through 2038.

According to FIFA, the investment group will be led by Thrive Eternal, a fund established by Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, while JPMorgan is advising the organization on the transaction. The proposal must still receive approval from a majority of FIFA’s member associations before it can move forward.

Reports indicate UEFA was not informed of the plans before FIFA’s public announcement and is preparing to hold an emergency virtual meeting to discuss its response. The European governing body has reportedly considered using the threat of withdrawing from FIFA competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup, as leverage in the dispute.

Questions have also emerged over the future role of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The Times reported that Infantino, who faces reelection next year and is expected to reach his term limit after 2031, could potentially become commissioner or chief executive of the new company after leaving office. Infantino told the newspaper that such a role “has never been discussed.” FIFA’s announcement did not address any future position for its president.

Infantino has previously drawn criticism over his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, including presenting him with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last December. Sources cited by The Times also said FIFA consulted with the Trump administration during discussions surrounding the investment proposal. However, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and the older brother of Josh Kushner, is not part of the investor group.

UEFA strongly condemned the proposal, saying it crossed “a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross.” The organization argued that football’s governance and integrity should not be treated as commercial assets and questioned the lack of transparency surrounding who would financially benefit from the deal. UEFA added that football does not belong to FIFA to sell and urged national associations, clubs, leagues, players, supporters and governments to take the issue seriously.

Relations between UEFA and FIFA have already been strained in recent weeks. Reuters reported that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin skipped the FIFA World Cup final over several disagreements, including FIFA’s decision to overturn the suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun following a red card earlier in the tournament.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticized the proposal, saying football belongs to the people who support the game rather than investors. He argued the FIFA World Cup should not be viewed as a commercial product but as a competition owned by its fans.

FIFA reported that the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated $15 billion in revenue, a significant increase from the estimated $7.57 billion earned during the 2022 World Cup cycle. Earlier this year, Infantino said FIFA intended to “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that FIFA has,” a statement the organization has referenced in explaining the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise.