UEFA announced that its national federations will not participate in the competitions of the Fifa, after the meeting held this Thursday to analyze the proposal of the highest body in world football to create a subsidiary that markets its competitions, including the World Cup.
“As a result of today’s debate, no UEFA national team will participate in any Fifa competition while these proposals remain in force, unless the proposal is completely withdrawn and binding guarantees are given that Fifa will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,” the organization said in a statement.
“UEFA and its national federations will not participate in Fifa competitions. UEFA and its 55 member associations remain united. We unanimously and unequivocally reject Fifa’s proposal to transfer ownership stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa competitions to private investors.
The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest legacies, forged over generations by players, national teams and fans from all continents.
No part of it should ever be given to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale. It is irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such importance for football has been conceived in secret and taken to the brink. of its approval without meaningful consultation with those who have the responsibility of administering this sport.
“This is not only a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of the duty of Fifa as guardian of world football. National federations around the world now face an ultimatum: accept the irreversible transfer of football’s most important competitions or face the consequences.
This is not a democratic decision, but governance based on intimidation: an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the leadership of world football.
But our opposition goes far beyond the process. At the time when external investors acquire participations in the competitions of the Fifafootball will change forever.
Commercial profitability will become a permanent obligation. Investor expectations will become constant pressure. From that moment on, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on the format of competitions and every decision that defines the future of football will no longer be motivated by what most benefits the sport, but by what most benefits shareholders.
This model has no place in world football. The future of football cannot be conditioned by the expectations of those whose main objective is to maximize financial profitability. Nor do the interests of the national federationss, leagues, clubs, players and fans can be subordinated to the profitability of investors. Football cannot mortgage its future in favor of economic profit.
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations
— UEFA (@UEFA) July 30, 2026
Europe’s position is clear. We will never grant legitimacy to this model. No one has the moral authority to sell what has simply been entrusted to them in the name of future generations.
As a result of today’s debate, no national team in the UEFA will participate in any Fifa competition while these proposals remain in force, unless the proposal is completely withdrawn. and binding guarantees are given that the Fifa It will never again open its governance or its competitions to private property.
Let no one be in any doubt: UEFA and its national federations will oppose these plans with absolute determination. There are times when institutions are judged not by what they are willing to accept, but by what they refuse to give up. This is one of those moments.
There are things that are simply too important to sell. The World Cup Fifa It belongs to football. It will always be like this. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”