UEFA said it “unanimously and unequivocally rejects” the proposal to transfer ownership interests in FIFA World Cup.
GENEVA: European football nations have voted to boycott all FIFA competitions if the governing body proceeds with a proposal to sell ownership stakes in the FIFA World Cup and other tournaments to private investors.
UEFA and its 55 member associations unanimously backed the boycott during a vote, delivering a major setback to FIFA’s reported plan to open commercial ownership interests in its flagship competitions to outside investors.
UEFA said it “unanimously and unequivocally rejects” the proposal to transfer ownership interests in the FIFA World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.
The organization added that none of its national teams would participate in FIFA tournaments while the proposal remains in place or until it is permanently withdrawn.
The European governing body also called for assurances that FIFA would never again seek to privatize the governance or ownership of its competitions.
The move significantly raises the stakes ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Europe is home to six of the world’s top 10 men’s and women’s national teams, including reigning world champion Spain, making any potential boycott a major challenge for FIFA.
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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has also reportedly warned its 47 member associations that the proposal is unlikely to succeed without the support of all six continental confederations, underscoring growing global opposition to the plan.
