On Thursday, July 30, 2026, UEFA issued a strong statement opposing FIFA's plan to sell stakes to external investors in a subsidiary responsible for running the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. UEFA and its 55 member associations "unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors."

The statement emphasized that the World Cup has been built over generations by players, national teams, and supporters worldwide, and "no part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors."

UEFA criticized the process as "irresponsible and indefensible," highlighting that the proposal was conceived in secret and nearly approved without meaningful consultation with football’s custodians. They called it "a profound failure of leadership" and an abdication of FIFA’s duty.

The European football body warned that national associations face an ultimatum to accept the "irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences," describing the situation as "governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game."

UEFA declared that if the proposal remains active, "no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition," unless the plan is fully abandoned and FIFA provides binding assurances that it will never again open governance or competitions to private ownership.

Notable quotes from UEFA include:

  • "But our opposition goes far beyond process."
  • "Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation."
  • "Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination."
  • "Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."

This development marks a significant rift between UEFA and FIFA over the future governance and commercialisation of football’s premier international competitions.

Sources

Channel News Asia: UEFA statement on FIFA plan to sell stakes in subsidiary to run World Cup