European countries threaten World Cup boycott over FIFA's new commercial plan

A new conflict has emerged in world football over FIFA's plan to create a new commercial structure. European countries may consider boycotting the World Cup after 2026 if the plan is implemented. UEFA, European football's governing body, indicated on Tuesday that FIFA plans to establish a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would consolidate its commercial rights—including broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing—and the operational delivery of its international tournaments .

Under the proposal, FIFA would invite external investors to purchase minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE to raise up to $4.2 billion, based on an implied valuation of $20 billion . FIFA says the funds would be reinvested into football development worldwide, with each of the 211 member associations receiving increased funding from $8 million to $20 million for the 2027-30 cycle .

UEFA condemned the proposal, stating: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade—especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell" .

UEFA has called an emergency virtual meeting with its 55 member associations this week to discuss a unified response. According to sources, the possibility of a World Cup boycott will likely be raised during the meeting . European nations dominate world football, with six of the eight quarter-finalists at the recent World Cup coming from Europe, and UEFA knows any competition without its members would be far less valuable .

The Football Association (FA) has stated it was not consulted before FIFA released the proposal . UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised the plan, saying "football is not the property of investors; it belongs to the millions of supporters who go to matches week after week" .

This is not the first conflict between UEFA and FIFA. In 2021, UEFA opposed FIFA's proposal to hold the World Cup every two years and threatened a boycott, forcing FIFA to abandon the plan .