FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing significant opposition to his plan to sell off World Cup rights, with UEFA and Concacaf associations rejecting the proposal and threatening boycotts of FIFA competitions. The move has led to calls for Infantino's resignation.
UEFA, representing 55 member associations including the English FA, issued a statement declaring the World Cup "is not for sale." The association criticized Infantino for "a profound failure of leadership" and presiding over "governance by intimidation," calling his attempts to secure private investment behind their backs "irresponsible" and "indefensible."
UEFA has vowed to boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, if the plans proceed. Concacaf, with its 41 member nations, has also rejected Infantino's proposal. The backlash has drawn parallels to the failed European Super League initiative.
Even Sepp Blatter, Infantino's predecessor, has branded the plan "deeply damaging" to the sport. Infantino, who intends to seek re-election as FIFA president at the congress in Morocco in March 2027, has been accused of betraying the sport and plunging FIFA into conflict with UEFA, the largest federation in world football.
The controversy follows other commercially driven decisions under Infantino's leadership, including hydration breaks during the summer World Cup and the suspension of a player's red card at the behest of then-President Donald Trump, allowing the player to participate in a subsequent match.