European football associations are considering a boycott of the FIFA World Cup in response to FIFA's controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in a newly formed commercial entity.
Controversial FIFA Proposal
FIFA plans to create a commercial subsidiary named FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), consolidating its commercial and event operations. The entity is valued at approximately KSh 2.6 trillion (USD 20 billion), with FIFA aiming to sell up to 20% to external investors, potentially raising KSh 544 billion (USD 4.2 billion).
If approved, each FIFA member association could receive up to USD 24 million by 2035, an incentive intended to mitigate opposition.
UEFA’s Strong Opposition
UEFA has firmly rejected the plan, emphasizing that football's governance and integrity should not be commodified. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin criticized the lack of transparency and warned that football is not FIFA's property to sell.
The strained relationship between UEFA and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has intensified amid this dispute, following previous clashes over governance issues and notable incidents such as Ceferin’s absence from the recent World Cup final.
Upcoming Emergency Meeting
UEFA member associations will convene an emergency virtual meeting this week to coordinate their response, with the possibility of escalating to a World Cup boycott if FIFA proceeds with the stake sale.
