The European Football Association and its 55 member federations announced their rejection of FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership of stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private sector investors.
FIFA had previously announced its intention to launch a company called FIFA Forward Enterprise valued at 20 billion US dollars, to be invested in with minority non-controlling stakes, which was rejected by the European, North American, and Asian federations. (See details)
UEFA also announced that "no national teams affiliated with the European Football Association will participate in any FIFA competition as long as these proposals remain in place".
The European Football Association's statement came via its website
The European Football Association (UEFA) and its 55 member federations stand united. We unanimously and categorically reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership of stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private sector investors.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football's greatest sporting legacies, built over generations thanks to the efforts of players, national teams, and fans around the world. No part of it should be relinquished to private sector investors. The World Cup is not for sale.
It is irresponsible and unjustified to put forward a proposal of this importance to football in secret and present it for approval without any serious consultation with those responsible for managing the game. This is not merely a glaring failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA's duty as the body responsible for world football.
National federations around the world now face an irreversible choice: either accept the final takeover of football's most important tournaments or bear the consequences. This is not a "democratic decision," but a ruling based on intimidation, a coercive act unworthy of an institution entrusted with the responsibility of managing the global game.
But our opposition goes far beyond the procedures.
The moment external investors acquire ownership stakes in FIFA tournaments, football will change forever. Commercial returns become a permanent obligation, and investor expectations turn into daily pressure. From that moment on, no decision regarding the international calendar, tournament formats, or the future of football will be driven by what serves the game's interests, but by what serves the shareholders' interests.
There is no place for this model in the world of football. The future of football cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose sole aim is to maximize financial returns. Nor can the interests of national federations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans become secondary to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gains.
Europe's position is clear. We will never grant legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral right to sell what is merely a trust for future generations.
As a result of today's discussions, no national teams affiliated with the European Football Association will participate in any FIFA competition as long as these proposals remain in place, unless this proposal is completely abandoned and binding guarantees are provided that FIFA will not open its governance or competitions again to private ownership.
No one should doubt it: the European Football Association and its national federations will oppose these plans with all firmness.
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.
Some things are too important to be sold. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football, and it will remain so. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be sold.
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations@UEFA
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously revealed that the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative is a proposal and not binding on member federations, and opened the door for discussion.
Meanwhile, the African Football Confederation (CAF) announced it would study the idea at the executive committee meeting. (See details)
FIFA stated in its announcement that "it will give the 211 member federations the opportunity to participate in the FIFA Fast-Forward (FFP) program to obtain one-time capital funding of up to 20 million US dollars. Participation will be entirely voluntary, and no member federation will be obligated to participate".
It stressed that "any net proceeds from the FFE company will be fully reinvested in football".
FIFA seeks to establish an independent commercial company to manage its commercial rights and major events, following the huge financial gains from the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
