UEFA Issues Important Statement

UEFA has released a statement expressing its readiness to suspend European national teams' participation in the World Cup if FIFA sells part of the tournament's rights to private investors, reports armsport.am.

“UEFA and all 55 member national associations are united. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA's proposal to transfer the ownership of the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments to private investors. The World Cup cannot be viewed as an investment product. It is one of football's greatest legacies, created by generations of players, national teams, and fans across all continents. No part of it should ever be handed over to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

The fact that such a crucial proposal for football was secretly prepared and almost confirmed without any serious consultation with those entrusted with the game's governance is irresponsible and unacceptable. This is not only a serious failure of leadership but also a direct abandonment of FIFA's responsibility as the guardian of global football.

National associations are now faced with an ultimatum: either accept the irreversible seizure of football's greatest tournaments or face the consequences. This is not a ‘democratic solution’ but rather governance through threats—an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the care of the global game.

However, our resistance goes far beyond procedure. When outside investors acquire stakes in FIFA's tournaments, football will change forever. Commercial revenues will become a permanent obligation. Investor expectations will turn into daily pressure. From that moment on, every decision regarding the international calendar, every decision about tournament formats, and every decision affecting the future of football will be made not in the interest of the game, but in the interests of shareholders.

This model has no place in global football. The future of football cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose primary obligation is to increase financial revenues. The interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans cannot be subordinated to the interests of investors. Football has no right to mortgage its future for financial profit.

Europe’s position is clear. We will never legitimize this model. No one has the moral right to sell what has only been entrusted to them to safeguard for the next generation. After today’s discussions, no European national team will participate in any FIFA tournaments as long as these proposals remain in effect, unless the proposal is fully withdrawn and legally binding guarantees are provided that FIFA will never again open its governance and tournaments to private investors.

No one should live under any illusions: UEFA and its national associations will resist these plans with absolute resolve. Some things are just too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always has and always will. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be sold,” the statement reads.