FAI joins Uefa nations in World Cup boycott over FIFA plans

European football's governing body Uefa is poised to win a significant power struggle against FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments to private investors. While FIFA holds considerable support globally, Uefa's trump card lies in the potential for a continent-wide boycott of FIFA competitions.

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The Football Association of Ireland supports Uefa along with all member associations in rejecting Fifa’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the Fifa World Cup and other Fifa competitions to private investors.

Such a boycott, supported by all 55 of Uefa's member nations, would severely diminish the commercial value of FIFA's events. This threat, coupled with a similar rejection of the plans by all 41 member nations of the North American confederation Concacaf, puts significant pressure on Infantino. FIFA had proposed selling up to 20 percent of its commercial interests in its tournaments to private equity firms, promising increased funding for member associations.

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The association believes that decisions of this significance must be founded on strong governance, transparency and meaningful consultation.

FIFA had aimed to secure a simple majority of its 211 members to approve the plan, offering a bonus payment of $20 million to those who agreed by September 19th. However, Uefa has labeled FIFA's presentation of the proposals as an "act of coercion." The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed its solidarity with Uefa, stating that Ireland's national teams will not participate in FIFA competitions while these proposals are under consideration. Despite the dispute, the FAI will continue preparations for its upcoming Women's World Cup play-off.

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In solidarity with Uefa’s position, Ireland’s national teams will not participate in Fifa competitions while these proposals remain under consideration.