UEFA has voiced firm opposition to claims that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is exploring the sale of World Cup equity to private backers. Such a move could reportedly yield significant financial gains for the FIFA leader. While FIFA recently declared plans to boost football development funding by over $10 billion—subject to member approval—concerns regarding the privatization of the governing body have escalated.
A report published by The Times alleged that Infantino is considering forming a separate entity to manage FIFA, with potential input from figures linked to the Trump administration. If successful, speculation suggests Infantino might transition into a commissioner role for this new firm following his tenure at FIFA.
In a sharp rebuke, UEFA characterized these developments as an unacceptable boundary violation for sports governance. The organization emphasized that football is a public trust, not a tradeable asset, and demanded greater transparency regarding potential financial beneficiaries. UEFA urged national associations, clubs, and supporters to recognize the gravity of these reports, asserting that the sport does not belong to FIFA to sell.
