NYON, Switzerland: A UEFA boycott will keep national teams from all 55 member associations out of every FIFA competition while the governing body pursues minority private investment in a commercial subsidiary.
European football’s governing body announced the unanimous decision on July 30 after an urgent online meeting. It said the boycott would continue until FIFA abandons the proposal and provides binding assurances against private ownership.
The official UEFA statement said the World Cup should not be treated as an investment product. UEFA also criticised FIFA for developing the proposal without meaningful consultation.
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FIFA plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary that will combine tournament operations with broadcast, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing rights.
The subsidiary would raise up to $4.2 billion by offering investors minority, non-controlling stakes. FIFA based the fundraising plan on an implied enterprise valuation of $20 billion.
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However, FIFA said it would retain control of the subsidiary and sole authority over competitions, governance, regulations and the international match calendar.
Thrive Eternal, a permanent-capital company created by Joshua Kushner, is expected to lead the investor group. FIFA has engaged J.P. Morgan as an adviser.
Under the official FIFA proposal, each of its 211 associations could voluntarily access up to $20 million in one-off funding for development projects.
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FIFA needs support from a majority of member associations and approval from its council before launching the structure.
The first scheduled tournament potentially affected is the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026. The competition will run from September 5 to 27 and includes six UEFA teams.
