Gianni Infantino faces strong opposition. © APA/AFP / PABLO PORCIUNCULA

Europeans threaten World Cup boycott

The 55 members of the European Football Union (UEFA) are threatening the world governing body (FIFA) with a unanimous boycott of the World Cup for both men and women if it goes ahead with the announced investor deal.

July 30, 2026

From: apa/sn

UEFA announced this after a virtual emergency meeting on Thursday. "As a consequence of today's discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in FIFA competitions as long as these proposals remain on the table," UEFA stated.

European football, under the leadership of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, is taking this seriously and has issued an ultimatum to Infantino: If you implement the investor deal, we will boycott the next World Cup and all other competitions organized by the world governing body.

WM is not an investment product

“We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors. The World Cup must not be treated as an investment product. There can be no doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with the utmost determination,” read the UEFA letter signed by all 55 national associations.

“Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend our legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral right to sell something they are merely holding in trust for the next generation,” the statement read. Europe’s umbrella organization made it clear: Even if a majority of the 211 member states were to vote in favor of the investor deal, it would not support this decision.