FIFA Withdraws Sale Plan, UEFA Keeps Boycott

Overview

• UEFA reaffirmed on Thursday that it has lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino and will keep its boycott because only the sale proposal was withdrawn and no binding guarantees were given against similar future plans.
• FIFA has formally scrapped the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and Infantino has apologized for errors in handling the project, which would have pooled World Cup commercial rights and sought minority private investors in a vehicle once discussed at about a $20 billion valuation.
• Responses split the football world: CAF publicly backed Infantino, CONMEBOL welcomed the withdrawal but criticized unilateral decision-making, and several national federations including Albania revoked or reconsidered their support for Infantino’s re-election bid.
• The standoff creates immediate sporting risk, with UEFA warning that the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in September and other near-term FIFA events could see European teams withdraw if guarantees are not provided.
• The dispute raises institutional stakes ahead of the FIFA candidacy deadline on November 18 and the presidential vote in March 2027, increasing pressure for clearer governance rules, independent review of commercial proposals, and transparent decision-making that member associations can trust.