Uefa calls emergency meeting over Fifa World Cup sell-off plan

Uefa has called an emergency meeting for July 30, 2026, to formulate its response to Fifa's controversial plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights. The virtual gathering of European football's governing body comes after Fifa gave its 211 member associations a September 19 deadline to back the proposal or lose a one-off payout of $20 million, part of an initial $40 million offer.

The plan, led by the Thrive Eternal investment vehicle owned by Joshua Kushner, would involve selling a 20% stake in Fifa competitions to private finance. Many associations, including the Football Association, were angered by the lack of advance warning. FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt, a Fifa vice-president, was not informed beforehand, and the Asian, South American, and North and Central American confederations have echoed Uefa's unease.

Uefa's opposition carries weight because its 55 members include three of the 2026 World Cup semi-finalists. The nuclear option of a European boycott could severely damage the financial viability of the concept, though that is seen as an extreme measure. Notably, the Czech Republic FA president David Trunda has said he sees pragmatic benefits for Czech football.

Fifa released an eight-page document on July 29, 2026, defending the proposals. It argued that too little of football's commercial value reaches the parts of the game that need it most. President Gianni Infantino, in a video released the same day, called the plan an offer, not an obligation, and a golden opportunity to turbocharge global development. Fifa insists private investors would have absolutely no influence over the World Cup.

The backlash has been widespread. The European Leagues organization called the plan a reckless and divisive development, while global players' union Fifpro urged Fifa to reconsider without delay, warning it would fundamentally reshape competition incentives. La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Infantino of trying to buy votes before the next Fifa congress in March, and German football official Hans-Joachim Watzke described the plans as an absolute attack on football.

Uefa has already issued two statements on the matter, the first claiming Fifa had crossed a line. The second, reacting to the September 19 deadline, said the ultimatum says everything you need to know about this plan. The outcome of the emergency meeting could shape whether European members take a unified stand against the proposals.