UEFA and CONCACAF slammed FIFA's plan to sell the World Cup shares..

UEFA and CONCACAF both issued strong criticisms through Reuters on Thursday regarding FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell the FIFA World Cup shares.

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, in an official statement, harshly criticized the move, stating that the organization only learned of the plan through news reports after FIFA's unilateral announcement, and that Infantino had not consulted with CONCACAF officials or its member associations before announcing the plan, demonstrating a lack of transparency.

Montagliani, CONCACAF, and its 41 member associations expressed deep disappointment with FIFA and Infantino's decision.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin also expressed similar dissatisfaction in an official statement, emphasizing that all 55 member associations, including officials from both men's and women's football, strongly oppose the plan.

In their statements, Čeferin and Montagliani both added: "As leaders in football, we are the guardians of the sport. FIFA, the continental federations, and all member associations have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, sound processes, and long-term management."

"This is the operating framework of UEFA and CONCACAF. We believe that all members of the FIFA family will act in accordance with the same principles."

"UEFA has consulted with numerous stakeholders in football and understands the growing opposition to FIFA's proposals."

"FIFA cannot continue to use football for its own enrichment and the benefit of its cronies. We can develop football in the right way. Now is the time to prioritize the interests of associations, clubs, leagues, players, and fans."

"We unanimously and unequivocally oppose FIFA's proposal to transfer shares in the World Cup and other FIFA-owned competitions to private investors."

"The World Cup must never be considered an investment product. It is one of football's greatest sporting legacies, built by generations of players, national teams, and fans across continents. No part of it should be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale."

"It is irresponsible and untenable that such a crucial football proposal was conceived in secret and nearly approved without any meaningful consultation with those responsible for governing the sport. This is not only a serious lack of leadership but also a betrayal of FIFA's duty as the guardian of world football."

"National football associations worldwide now face an ultimatum: either accept irreversible control over top-level football competitions or bear the consequences. This is not "Democratic decision-making". It is being replaced by coercive governance, a coercive approach utterly incompatible with the institution's role in governing global football. But our opposition goes far beyond procedural issues."

"Once external investors acquire shares in FIFA's competitions, the face of football will be completely transformed. Commercial returns will become a permanent obligation. Investor expectations will become daily pressure. From that moment on, every decision regarding the international schedule, every competition format, and every decision shaping the future of football will no longer be driven by football itself, but by shareholder interests."

"This model has no place in world football. The future of football cannot be decided by those whose primary task is maximizing economic profits. The interests of national football associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans cannot succumb to investor returns. Football cannot sell its future for monetary gain."

"UEFA and CONCACAF's position is clear: We will never endorse this model." 

"Give it any legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they are merely holding in trust for the next generation."

"As long as these proposals remain, none of UEFA's national teams will participate in any FIFA competitions unless these proposals are completely abandoned and there is a binding guarantee that FIFA will never again open its administration or competitions to private ownership."

"No one should doubt that UEFA, CONCACAF, and their member associations will resolutely oppose these plans."

"Sometimes, the standard for judging an institution is not what it is willing to accept, but what it refuses to compromise on. Now is such a moment."

"Some things are too important to be sold. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It will always belong to football. As long as Europe, Central and North America, and the Caribbean have a voice, it will never be sold."

The news of Infantino's intention to sell World Cup shares was broken by The Times on July 28th, UK time.

According to the report, Infantino has proposed establishing a commercial subsidiary called "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) to handle the commercial operations of the World Cup and other FIFA events, and to sell minority shares to private investors. The company is reportedly valued at approximately $20 billion.

It is understood that private investors will hold approximately 20% of FFE's shares, with the investment group led by Thrive Eternal, founded by American entrepreneur Joshua Kushner.

FIFA has proposed a plan to its 211 member associations, offering each association a new funding package totaling $10 billion starting in 2027 if supported by September 19th, averaging approximately $40 million per association; if the plan is rejected, the existing funding plan of approximately $2.7 billion will remain.

The news immediately sparked strong criticism from fans, media, and journalists worldwide. Opponents worry that private investors pursuing commercial returns, and FIFA's commitment to increasing development funding for member associations, could lead to an increase in the number of matches, further impacting the already overly packed global football schedule.

However, FIFA emphasizes that investors do not and have no right to participate in determining the scale and frequency of major tournaments such as the World Cup, the Women's World Cup, and the Club World Cup.

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