European and North American soccer authorities have voted to boycott all FIFA competitions, escalating a governance crisis at the world governing body.
UEFA and Concacaf aligned their opposition to President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors.
The coordinated move targets a transaction valued at more than $4 billion, which would see FIFA divest a 20% stake in the tournament's commercial rights.
The coordinated move targets a transaction valued at more than $4 billion, which would see FIFA divest a 20% stake in the tournament's commercial rights.
The boycott represents a significant escalation from previous diplomatic resistance, signaling that the confederations are prepared to withdraw from the global calendar to force a reversal of the sale.
This development intensifies the pressure on Infantino, who has faced mounting criticism over the privatization strategy.
The resistance from UEFA and Concacaf, two of FIFA's most powerful continental bodies, undermines the federation's ability to proceed with the deal without risking the integrity of its flagship events.