FIFA, World Cup and Gianni Infantino

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UEFA, CONCACAF target Infantino after FIFA shelve World Cup private investment plan
FIFA president Gianni Infantino came under increasing fire from continental governing bodies on Saturday (Aug 1) despite scrapping a widely-derided plan to allow private investment in the World Cup.

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UEFA Says It Has Lost Confidence in FIFA's Infantino After Failed Private Equity Plan for World Cup
UEFA Offers Scathing Gianni Infantino Criticism After FIFA’s World Cup Plan Collapses
Soccer-Infantino's FIFA Future in Jeopardy After Private Equity Gamble Backfires
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, hitherto untouchable at the helm of soccer's global governing body, ⁠suffered ⁠a crushing blow on Friday when his bold reach for private equity ⁠riches was brought to ...

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European nations vow FIFA World Cup boycott over Infantino private equity plan as opposition spreads
UEFA has ‘lost confidence’ in Gianni Infantino, accuses him of ‘shabby, back room’ deal
UEFA says it has lost confidence in FIFA’s Infantino after failed private equity plan for World Cup
Infantino had proposed creating a $20 billion company to run the World Cup with private investors, but drew backlash that grew every day since Tuesday’s announcement.

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Reaction to FIFA scrapping World Cup sell-off plans
Soccer-UEFA to Boycott World Cup and FIFA Tournaments Over Stake Sale Plans

UEFA’s World Cup boycott explained — and what happens next?

At a meeting on Thursday, European nations agreed to boycott men's and women's World Cups unless FIFA's private investment plans are shelved

European soccer teams vote to boycott World Cups over controversial FIFA investment plan

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

FIFA's Gianni Infantino faces backlash over scrapped World Cup deal

The dramatic fallout from Gianni Infantino's scrapped proposal has exposed growing unease within world soccer over his leadership style.

FIFA World Cup sale falls through: UEFA, Concacaf, AFC and Sepp Blatter all blasted Gianni Infantino's plan

Three confederations were hard against the idea. The other three didn't exactly voice support either.

Concacaf and UEFA step up attacks on Gianni Infantino, call for a ‘comprehensive reckoning’ with FIFA president

The region that includes the U.S. said "a comprehensive reckoning with this presidency is imperative." Europe's soccer governing body said "the current FIFA leadership" has "lost UEFA's confidence."

Are FIFA and UEFA in a forever war?

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,

UEFA threatens World Cup boycott over FIFA investor deal

Europe's football associations have unanimously threatened to boycott the World Cup if FIFA goes ahead with a planned deal to sell commercial rights to private investors, UEFA said after an emergency meeting on Thursday.