The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on Saturday praised FIFA's decision to scrap a controversial plan to sell a stake in World Cup profits to private investors, a move that came after UEFA and its 55 member associations threatened to boycott the tournament. In a sharply worded statement, UEFA welcomed the reversal but insisted that those responsible for the failed proposal must be held accountable.
"We must identify those responsible and hold them to account," the federation wrote, adding that it would work with other confederations in the coming weeks to reflect on how the situation unfolded and to devise safeguards against a repeat. "That review should be thorough and fundamental. No option should be off the table," the statement continued, signaling that UEFA's confidence in FIFA's current leadership has eroded significantly.
The plan, which FIFA had pursued quietly, sought to raise approximately $10 billion by selling rights to operate, broadcast, and promote the World Cup to private equity firms. The proposal drew intense criticism not only from UEFA but also from other football bodies, particularly due to the involvement of Joshua Kushner, the brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Several FIFA executives resigned, reportedly feeling "deceived" by the project, according to The Associated Press.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has led the organization since 2016, announced the reversal in a statement, saying the proposal "created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place." He added, "Our purpose has always been — and will always be — to unite and improve. As a result, this proposal will not proceed."
UEFA had earlier issued a unanimous rejection of the plan, asserting that "the World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product." The federation emphasized that the tournament is "one of football's greatest sporting legacies" and that "no part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors." The strong stance was echoed by political figures, including Nigel Farage, leader of the UK's Reform Party, who posted on X: "Football is for the people. UEFA are right to take a stand and Gianni Infantino must resign."
In its Saturday statement, UEFA also criticized Infantino's leadership, accusing him of failing to uphold transparency and to prioritize the development of the game. "The shabby, back room, opaque deal he hatched and tried to force through was anything but transparent," the federation wrote. It concluded: "This is a victory for the whole game. But it must not be the end of the story. The proposal has gone. The task of rebuilding trust in FIFA has only just begun."
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of FIFA's operations, including concerns over private jet emissions during the World Cup, which have drawn criticism as fans bear the costs of luxury travel. The failed investment plan also highlights ongoing tensions between UEFA and FIFA over governance and financial transparency.
As UEFA calls for a fundamental review, the future relationship between the two governing bodies remains uncertain. The demand for accountability suggests that the battle over FIFA's direction is far from over, with UEFA signaling it will not accept further backroom deals that undermine the integrity of the sport.
