Concacaf and UEFA members reject FIFA private equity World Cup plan

By Liam Tremblay — 30 July 2026 — 3 min read

Continental Confederations Oppose FIFA Proposal

Concacaf and UEFA member associations have expressed opposition to a FIFA proposal involving the creation of a US$20-billion subsidiary to manage the World Cup and sell minority stakes to external investors. UEFA members have agreed to boycott FIFA competitions in protest of the plan.

Concacaf, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, held a meeting with its 41 Member Associations, along with its President and FIFA Council members, to discuss the proposal presented by the FIFA President. The plan, termed ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’, aims to sell interests in the FIFA World Cup to private investors.

During the meeting, Concacaf members raised concerns regarding the process surrounding the proposal. These concerns included a perceived lack of due process, a short deadline for consideration, and the absence of review or approval by relevant FIFA governance bodies. Questions were also raised about the necessity of private equity investment to fund existing and new FIFA Forward programs, especially following what was described as the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.

Governance and Financial Concerns

The discussions within Concacaf underscored the importance of greater transparency and proper governance in such matters. As a result, Concacaf and its 41 Member Associations have rejected the proposal.

They have also instructed their FIFA Council members to engage with FIFA to explore how existing FIFA reserves could be utilized to increase funding for football development across their region through FIFA Forward programs. Additionally, Concacaf’s FIFA Council members have been tasked with ensuring that any future matters adhere to proper governance processes via staff and the FIFA Council, in accordance with FIFA Statutes.

Concacaf’s actions reaffirm its stance that the future of football, and its primary asset, should remain under the control of the football community.

FIFA, the global governing body for football, is headquartered in Zurich and comprises 211 member associations. Each member association holds one vote at the FIFA Congress, which serves as the body’s supreme legislative authority. The FIFA Congress is responsible for electing the FIFA President and approving significant statutory changes. The 37-member FIFA Council acts as the main decision-making body between congress meetings.

Each national football association is also affiliated with one of FIFA’s six continental confederations: UEFA in Europe, CONMEBOL in South America, Concacaf in North and Central America and the Caribbean, the AFC in Asia, CAF in Africa, and OFC in Oceania. These confederations operate as independent governing bodies, each with its own congresses, executives, competitions, and commercial programs.

UEFA’s Commercial Influence in Global Football

UEFA, despite having only 55 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, generates significantly more commercial revenue than other confederations. It organizes several of football’s most valuable competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and the European Championship. These competitions generate substantial revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and commercial partnerships.

Europe is home to many of the world’s largest clubs, leagues, broadcasters, and sponsors, which contributes to UEFA’s commercial strength and influence. This influence extends beyond its own competitions, as UEFA redistributes significant funds through prize money, solidarity payments, and development funding, reinforcing its importance to clubs, leagues, and national associations across Europe.

The relationship between FIFA and UEFA is characterized by mutual dependence. While FIFA holds governing authority over global football, UEFA oversees a substantial portion of its economic engine. FIFA relies on Europe’s participation to maximize the value of its major tournaments, and UEFA operates within FIFA’s global regulatory framework. This dynamic explains why disputes between the two bodies, whether concerning competition formats, the international calendar, or commercial matters, carry significant implications for the sport.

The proposed plan by FIFA has led to a unified rejection from Concacaf and a boycott agreement from UEFA members, highlighting ongoing discussions about the governance and commercial future of international football.

Source: theglobeandmail.com