Football

Home page

Football

UEFA nations to boycott men's and women's World Cup in protest against FIFA investment plan

30 July 2026 21:52 (UTC +04:00)

UEFA nations to boycott men's and women's World Cup in protest against FIFA investment planoriginally appeared on The Sporting News, APA reports.

FIFA's proposed investment plan to create a new commercial enterprise that seeks outside funding in exchange for a minority stake has been vehemently opposed by various factions in and around football.

"UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one," said UEFA in a statement released jointly by all member nations. "We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA's proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors."

The statement confirmed that until FIFA contractually agrees to withdraw from this proposal and never to revive it at any time, UEFA nations would not participate in any of its tournaments.

"As a result of today's discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership," the statement said.

"Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination.