In an unprecedented escalation that could redraw the map of world football, UEFA announced a decisive stance on FIFA's proposal to introduce private sector investors into the ownership of its tournaments, confirming that European national teams will not participate in any tournament organized by FIFA as long as this project remains in place.
UEFA issued a statement on its official website, on behalf of the union and all 55 member national associations, in which it announced its categorical rejection of the proposal.
The text of the European Union's statement was as follows:
Statement issued on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations:
UEFA and its national associations will not participate in any competitions organized by FIFA.
UEFA and its 55 national associations stand united. We unanimously and categorically reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private sector investors.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of the greatest sporting legacies in football, built over generations of players, national teams, and fans across all continents. No part of it should ever be relinquished to private sector investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is irresponsible and indefensible to prepare a proposal of this importance for the future of football in complete secrecy, then push it to the brink of adoption without any real consultations with the entities entrusted with protecting and managing the game. This represents not just a grave failure in leadership, but an abandonment by FIFA of its duty as the governing body of world football.
National associations around the world now face a forced choice: either accept the permanent transfer of control over football's greatest tournaments to private sector investors, or bear the consequences. This is not a "democratic decision," but a management style based on intimidation, and a coercive measure unworthy of an institution entrusted with leading the game globally.
But our objection goes far beyond the decision-making process.
Once external investors own stakes in FIFA tournaments, football will change forever. Achieving commercial returns will become a permanent obligation, and investor expectations will turn into daily pressure. From that moment on, decisions regarding the international calendar, competition formats, or the future of the game will not be made in the service of football, but in the service of shareholders' interests.
This model has no place in world football. The future of the game cannot be dictated according to the expectations of parties whose primary duty is to maximize financial profits. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gains.
Europe's position is clear. We will not grant this model any legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they are only entrusted with for the sake of future generations.
Based on what was discussed today, any national team affiliated with UEFA will not participate in any tournament organized by FIFA as long as this proposal remains in place, unless it is completely abandoned, with binding guarantees that FIFA will not in the future open the door to ownership of its tournaments or governance to private sector investors.
And let no one be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will confront these plans with all firmness and determination.
There are moments when institutions are measured not by what they accept, but by what they refuse to relinquish. This is one of those moments; there are things more important than being sold. The World Cup belongs to football, and will always remain so, and as long as Europe has a say, the World Cup will not be for sale.
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