FIFA Says 'Nobody Is Selling Football' amid Boycott Threat from UEFA

FIFA is defending its controversial plan to introduce private equity into the World Cup, asserting that "nobody is selling football" and attributing the widespread backlash to inaccurate media coverage. The global soccer governing body stated that its planned consultation process was disrupted by "incorrect media coverage."

FIFA reaffirmed its commitment to an open vote among its 211 member associations on the creation of a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The organization clarified that if member associations reject the initiative, commercial operations will remain unchanged, and the project will be abandoned.

However, resistance is mounting. UEFA, representing 55 European nations, staged an "unprecedented mutiny" following an emergency meeting, agreeing to boycott all FIFA competitions, including future World Cups, unless the private investment plan is scrapped. "Some things are simply too important to sell," UEFA declared, emphasizing that the World Cup belongs to football and will never be for sale as long as Europe has a voice.

The threat of a European boycott jeopardizes upcoming events like the Women's Under-20 World Cup and casts uncertainty over the 2035 Women's World Cup bid. The opposition has expanded beyond Europe, with Concacaf (41 member nations) voicing deep concerns over due process and governance, questioning the need for outside capital after a profitable World Cup. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also expressed disappointment over being excluded from initial discussions, warning that FIFA's unilateral actions threaten continental football's foundations.

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Some things are simply too important to sell.