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UEFA Votes to Boycott FIFA Competitions Over Plan to Sell World Cup Stakes

The unanimous European stance threatens to pull national teams from upcoming FIFA events and puts heavy pressure on FIFA before a September 19 member response deadline.

Overview

  • UEFA’s 55 member associations met and unanimously declared they will not take part in any FIFA competition while the proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise and sell minority stakes remains active.
  • FIFA has proposed forming FIFA Forward Enterprise, valuing it around $20 billion, and offering roughly 20% to private investors to manage the World Cup and other tournaments.
  • FIFA tied large financial incentives to the plan, offering one-off and higher development payments that supporters say aim to secure member approval by the mid-September deadline.
  • Reporting names Thrive Eternal and Joshua Kushner among prospective investors and notes links to figures close to President Trump, which has intensified political and reputational opposition.
  • The boycott could be tested as soon as October in Women’s World Cup play-offs and would complicate scheduling, broadcast deals and player pathways for 2027 and 2030 tournaments.