UEFA nations agree to boycott World Cup over FIFA’s private investment plans
Yahoo Sports Daily host Caroline Fenton reacts to UEFA nations agreeing to boycott future World Cups in reaction to FIFA's plans to plans to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors. Watch Yahoo Sports Daily on YouTube or YahooSports.TV .
Video Transcript
European football nations have agreed to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
That decision came down on Thursday afternoon during a virtual meeting of all fifty-five UEFA members who voted to push back against FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors.
UEFA issued a statement on social media saying, quote, "The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product.
It is one of football's greatest sporting legacies.
It has been built over generations by players, national teams, and supporters across every continent.
No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors.
The World Cup is not for sale."
End quote.
FIFA confirmed plans to sell a significant stake in a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprises, which would take over major events like the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The boycott would first impact next summer's Women's World Cup in Brazil.
There is also a Women's U-20 Wor- World Cup that is set to take place in September of 2026, which would be impacted by this boycott, followed by the 2030 Men's World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
There is no doubt that a World Cup cannot take place without UEFA.
Remember, fifty-five members of UEFA that would not be taking place in the World Cup.
So this is critical for FIFA and UEFA to find a compromise moving forward.
