Uefa says Fifa plan for private investment in World Cup ‘crosses line’

July 28, 2026 No Comments

Uefa reacts with fury to Infantino World Cup planImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fifa president Gianni Infantino (left) and US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup finalBySimon Stone

Chief football news reporter

23 minutes ago

European football’s governing body Uefa has reacted furiously to proposals from Fifa to seek private investment in its competitions, including the World Cup.

Fifa – the sport’s global governing body – stated it intends to expand football development funding to more than $10bn (£7.5bn), which it claims is to grow the game – subject to approval by its member associations.

The story was first revealed in the Financial Times and the Times, with the latter claiming the plans could potentially earn Fifa president Gianni Infantino tens of millions of pounds.

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” Uefa stated in a statement in response to those reports.

“None of us are the owners of football. [The World Cup] is not Fifa’s to sell.”