Uefa World Cup boycott may be raised over Fifa investment plan

Uefa is set to hold an emergency meeting with its 55 member associations this week to address Fifa's controversial proposals to sell stakes in its major competitions. Fifa aims to create a new commercial subsidiary to manage flagship events, such as the World Cup, allowing external investors to acquire equity.

Uefa has expressed strong opposition, stating the plans have "crossed a line" and warning that handing too much influence to private investors could damage the game. Given the scale of the opposition, it is expected that a potential boycott of Fifa tournaments will be on the agenda. Although Uefa accounts for only a fraction of Fifa's 211-member body, it holds the majority of the world's most successful teams, whose absence would severely undermine the value of any Fifa event.

Fifa defends the proposal by citing the need to grow the game globally, claiming it could increase development funding to $10bn and offer member associations access to $20m in capital. However, concerns remain regarding the impact on an already saturated football calendar and the risks associated with prioritizing revenue over sporting structure.

Sources within the game have likened the threat posed by this plan to the controversy surrounding the European Super League in 2021. The development highlights the long-standing tensions between the two governing bodies, following previous disputes over proposals to stage the World Cup on a biennial basis.