European soccer governing body UEFA says it will boycott World Cup competitions over FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to inject private money.

On Tuesday, FIFA confirmed its plans to sell a significant minority stake in a new entity that it is setting up to run its main events.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with President of the United States Donald J. Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026,

FIFA said on Friday it will not proceed with its proposal to sell a piece of its business empire to outside investors after the project was met with fierce resistance from some of its member associations.

The Asian Football Confederation has joined the North, Central America and Caribbean football association and UEFA in opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.

This is an updated version of an article that first appeared on The Athletic in May 2025. For an insight into the one-upmanship between FIFA, the world football governing body, and UEFA, its European counterpart,

FIFA is scrapping its plan to sell a minority stake of its organization after criticism from fans and partner leagues including UEFA and Concacaf.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has scrapped a plan to sell 20% stakes in a subsidiary that would run all its competitions, including the World Cup, in a move that faced widespread opposition from continental bodies,