European nations say World Cup boycott is still on, keeping FIFA's Infantino in limbo
UEFA and other soccer bodies are maintaining a boycott against FIFA following a controversial plan to privatize commercial operations of the World Cup. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandoning the plan, European nations demand further governance reforms and assurances.
Why it matters
The standoff highlights a significant power struggle between international soccer governing bodies and FIFA leadership over the commercialization of the sport.
UEFA — the soccer body that represents 55 European nations — said on Thursday it would maintain its boycott of the World Cup, extending the pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign over a failed plan to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors.
Soccer Edition Spain is the 2026 World Cup champion, defeating Argentina for its 2nd title UEFA first announced the boycott last week after FIFA unveiled the plan , which would have involved creating a separate venture to handle all commercial operations of the World Cup and other tournaments — and then selling part of the company to financial firms.
Infantino said the plan would help raise funds that could be distributed across the world — but instead found himself facing a global storm as soccer officials around the world revolted against a move that would have effectively privatized the World Cup.
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