UEFA has today summoned an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations over FIFA’s proposed plan to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial company to private investors.
UEFA has called an emergency meeting with all 55 of its member associations after FIFA unveiled plans to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial company to private investors. The proposal has triggered another major disagreement between football’s two biggest governing bodies.
The company, known as “FIFA Forward Enterprise,” would take charge of the commercial rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. FIFA believes bringing in private investment could generate billions of dollars, money it says would be used to grow the game, fund development projects, and strengthen its competitions across the globe.
Conversely, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has opposed the development, asserting that football’s biggest competition should not be treated like a business asset. The European governing body says FIFA failed to consult key stakeholders, raised concerns over transparency, and warned that allowing private investors into the World Cup’s commercial structure could put profits ahead of the game’s long-term interests.
In a further statement, UEFA accused FIFA of attempting to pressure its member associations into supporting the proposal by setting a deadline and threatening to withdraw a one-off financial payout.
“Today we have learned of FIFA’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.”
UEFA said discussions with stakeholders across the game revealed “significant and growing opposition” to FIFA’s proposal, adding:
“FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly. It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”
The relationship between Infantino and the UEFA president has been strained for months. Their differences became obvious during the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Čeferin chose not to attend the final, a decision widely seen as a protest against FIFA’s leadership and the direction the organisation is taking.
That disagreement has now reached another level. UEFA is expected to use this week’s meeting to discuss its response, with reports suggesting that a boycott of FIFA competitions is one of the options on the table if Infantino refuses to rethink the plan.
