Also known as: Europe's governing body UEFA · European football body UEFA
UEFA — European football confederation that withdrew World Cup boycott threat and prepared legal action against FIFA President Infantino over failed private investment plan, March 2027.
… Cup spread over three countries: - Tuesday - window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); The Times newspaper breaks the story, sparking UEFA …
… The accelerated study comes on the heels of FIFA's plan to create a $20-billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events with external investors, a move that has attracted criticism and a UEFA decision to boycott FIFA events. …
… European football's governing body UEFA said none of its national teams would participate in any FIFA competition "for so long as these proposals remain alive". …
… Audio By Vocalize The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined UEFA and CONCACAF in condemning world football's governing body FIFA's proposed private investment plan, saying on Friday they were alarmed it had reached the point a "World Cup boycott has entered public discourse". …
… The Spanish World Cup winner backed UEFA's staunch opposition to the plan to create a commercial subsidiary to run FIFA's biggest events and allow private investors to acquire stakes in the company. …
… UEFA said the proposal "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross," and "the soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. …
… Audio By Vocalize FIFA vowed on Friday to press on with its "open and democratic" consultation with stakeholders on a proposed private investment plan despite fierce backlash from European football governing body UEFA and others. …
UEFA says will boycott World Cup if FIFA pushes private investor proposal By AFP July 31, 2026 06:32 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter JULY 19: U.S. …
France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.
France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.
France has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, aligning with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. The French Football Federation cited a loss of trust in the FIFA president's governance of world football, citing his abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
Belgium's football association will not support Gianni Infantino's bid for another term as FIFA president, citing concerns over transparency and governance. Belgium joins England and Italy in withdrawing backing ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.
Fenerbahce duo Mason Greenwood and Matteo Guendouzi were suspended for their involvement in chaotic scenes after their club's Champions League play-off second leg victory against Lyon. Guendouzi received a four-match UEFA ban for insulting others, provoking spectators, and violating basic rules of decent conduct, along with a €50,000 fine.
FIFA has accused UEFA of a "smear campaign" and "fishing expedition" after UEFA asked US judges to force FIFA to disclose documents related to its failed plan to secure private investment in World Cup tournaments. UEFA has threatened possible legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for alleged "criminal mismanagement" over the scrapped investor plan.
UEFA announced it is considering legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, which a former International Olympic Committee marketing director described as a "massive escalation" of their feud. Infantino has faced increasing pressure to step down, and UEFA has withdrawn its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments on a provisional basis.
UEFA is preparing to file a criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for "criminal mismanagement" over his shelved plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, according to a legal document seen by AFP.
Saudi Arabia's Football Federation expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino and welcomed his joint statement with Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom acknowledging mistakes and abandoning a plan to bring private financing into the World Cup, which had triggered global opposition.
UEFA, which had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions over plans to allow private investment in the World Cup and Club World Cup through a new commercial subsidiary, is expected to drop the boycott threat. The dispute arose after FIFA proposed creating a FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to attract private investors, which UEFA had criticized as a "shady, opaque backroom deal."
Italy's national football federation withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European associations in scrapping their backing ahead of his re-election bid at next year's FIFA Congress.
UEFA is "likely" to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments after the two conditions it sought from FIFA following president Gianni Infantino's failed attempt to secure private investment in the World Cup have been met, according to a source.
Former footballer Emmanuel Petit and others have called for "change" in FIFA's leadership following the failed plan to open the World Cup to private investors, saying "power has blurred the current leadership's ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football."
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying he "hasn't done anything wrong" despite intense scrutiny over a failed private investment proposal for FIFA tournaments including the World Cup. UEFA and other federations have withdrawn support and threatened boycotts over the controversial plan.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of contention to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino must quit or face a leadership challenge. Infantino has faced mounting pressure to step down over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, with UEFA and other continental federations withdrawing support.
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but warned that Infantino must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March over his abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino.
A FIFA vice-president from Hungary has withdrawn his support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing the "unexpected dismissal" of Kevin Lamour, the chief operating officer who had publicly criticised Infantino's plan for private investment in World Cups.
Premier League chief Richard Masters says FIFA president Gianni Infantino pressed the "self-destruct button" with a botched plan to bring private investment into the World Cup, which was withdrawn after global backlash. UEFA and England's Football Association have withdrawn support for Infantino, and FIFA's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour left his post over the controversy.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's chief operating officer Kevin Lamour has departed after breaking ranks with senior FIFA directors and criticizing Infantino's plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Lamour had refused to sign off on the deal and described it as "the project of one person."
A split within Asian football deepened after the region's top official hit back at Qatar's challenge over the confederation's move to join UEFA and CONCACAF in criticizing FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions. Qatar's football chief said neither he nor the QFA had been consulted before the joint statement was issued.
The Scottish Football Association has withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European federations including England, Ireland, and Wales in rescinding their backing. Infantino faces re-election at next year's FIFA Congress amid pressure from three confederations that have accused him of "deception" over a private investor World Cup plan.
Qatar challenged the Asian Football Confederation over its decision to join UEFA and CONCACAF in an open letter attacking FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying it was not consulted before the three confederations issued the statement.
Somali referee Omar Artan, 34, was denied entry to the United States to officiate the World Cup despite being selected by FIFA, but later took charge of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, describing the match as his "World Cup."
Somali referee Omar Artan, 34, became the first referee from outside Europe to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup, officiating PSG's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Salzburg's Red Bull Arena. After the match, Artan wrote "This was my World Cup..." on the official match ball, a reference to his missed World Cup opportunity after being denied entry to the US by Customs and Border Protection at Miami International Airport.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe says FIFA president Gianni Infantino's future should be decided by elections, after Ireland joined European, North American, and Asian football bodies in withdrawing support over his failed plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash. Despite support from US President Donald Trump and withdrawing the controversial proposal, Infantino's position remains precarious as three confederations have criticized his style of leadership.
Omar Artan, a Somali referee selected by FIFA for the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States and unable to officiate the tournament, but will referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. A US State Department official cited associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations as the reason for his ineligibility.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday it would be "a terrible mistake" to replace FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is facing criticism from three continental confederations over deception and failed efforts to privatize parts of the World Cup.
US President Donald Trump said Monday it would be "a terrible mistake" to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faced criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC over a failed plan to sell World Cup broadcasting rights to private investors.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from entering the United States for the World Cup after US authorities said he was associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations, will referee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The football federations of the United States and Canada, two of the 2026 World Cup hosts, backed a statement from three confederations criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino and calling for meaningful change to strengthen FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability.