Uefa Draws Line in Sand Over Infantino’s World Cup Privatisation Scheme

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·30 Juli 2026

Uefa Draws Line in Sand Over Infantino’s World Cup Privatisation Scheme

In an extraordinary, high-stakes showdown for the soul of international football, Uefa’s 55 member nations have unanimously agreed to boycott all Fifa competitions — including future World Cups.

The decision comes in direct response to Fifa President Gianni Infantino’s secret scheme to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors.

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The Privatisation Plan: $20 Billion Commercial Spin-Off

Details of Infantino's proposal — dubbed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) — revealed plans to spin off Fifa's commercial and broadcast rights into a newly created $20B commercial subsidiary.

Up to 20% of FFE was slated to be sold to US-based private equity backers, spearheaded by Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Eternal fund.
To push the proposal through, Infantino offered each of Fifa’s 211 member associations an immediate $20 million payout — doubling their standard 4-year funding package — provided they signed off by mid-September.
Reports indicate the restructuring would also guarantee Infantino a lucrative new position overseeing the subsidiary, carrying a reported $65 million financial package for his executive compenastion.

Uefa's Furious Counter-Attack

Following an emergency online summit lasting under 2 hours, Uefa issued a scathing, united condemnation:

"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. Some things are simply too important to sell. The Fifa World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale."

Uefa branded Infantino’s tactics as "governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game."

What Happens Next

Reader Comments (12)

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Ged Simpson 1 Posted 28/07/2026 at 22:21:12

When Fifa sells the World Cup to a Trump family member, all will be fine.

May be time for me to call it a day being a football fan. It is just a rich man's play thing more than ever before and increasingly I feel a mug wasting any time watching it. Just turn the whole thing now into a computer game.

My Dad, former Tranmere goalie and huge Blue, will be turning in his grave sadly. Are we mugs?

Ian Horan 2 Posted 30/07/2026 at 15:48:26

Infantino's new franchising of the World Cup is disgraceful. He has the investors lined up --Thrive Capital, New York-based company ran by Trump's son-in-law Jarrad Kushner's brother!!!

For fuck's sake... let's hope Uefa are able to sink the idea.

Jeff Armstrong 3 Posted 30/07/2026 at 16:14:31

Uefa should just threaten to pull out of the World Cup, see what Infantino does then.

He needs Europe more than we need Infantino, the bent wanker.

Alan McGuffog 4 Posted 30/07/2026 at 16:32:35

The thing is, Jeff, Uefa will huff and puff but will never disentangle itself from the gravy train that is Fifa.

Alan McGuffog 5 Posted 30/07/2026 at 16:36:05

Think I may have to take that comment back Jeff.

Just seen BBC News...

Jeff Armstrong 7 Posted 30/07/2026 at 16:42:30

Good on Uefa, someone needed to stand up to that Bond villain/

Uefa came out in the strongest terms when Trump got involved in the Belagun red card, I’m not surprised by today’s decision.

Your move Mr Infantino (Gianni strokes cat and wonders what to do next)

Who the fuck gives Trump a peace prize and stays credible!

Tom Bowers 8 Posted 30/07/2026 at 20:00:34

Does anyone think that dastardly Donald had anything to do with Infantino's sudden urge to deal away shares of Fifa? Is Trump's family involved in the ''two private'' concerns. Bit of a coincidence don't you think so soon after Infantino cuddling up to Dastardly Don at the World Cup.

Andrew Merrick 9 Posted 30/07/2026 at 21:27:21

Football is already moving into ultra wealth ownership.

I really hope this stance by Uefa draws a line in the sand, and maybe even turns the tide, fans in all European leagues should show their feelings.

Michael Kenrick 10 Posted 30/07/2026 at 21:31:36

Wondering if this solidarity will hold...

Or if Infantino's blatant bribe to the myriad of tiny federations making up the bulk of the other 162 non-European members of Fifa will be enough for him to hold sway.

Bring back Sir Stanley Rous!

Neil Tyrrell 12 Posted 30/07/2026 at 21:47:45

World Cup would be a joke without European teams and everyone including that prick Infantino knows it. 6 of the 8 quarter finalists were European teams this year, and 3 of the 4 semi finalists.