FIFA's Plan to Sell World Cup Rights Faces Backlash

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and many football stakeholders are not happy with FIFA's plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial operations. This plan involves a semi-private company, and many feel it could harm football's governance and independence.

On Wednesday, UEFA released a statement saying football's governance and integrity should not be treated like business assets. They said, "The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade, especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us is the owner of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell."

CONCACAF also shared their concerns about the plan. They pointed out that there was no proper consultation before this decision. They said, "We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process."

Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is the Vice President of the German Football Association and president of Borussia Dortmund, called the plan an attack on the sport. He stated, "Many in European football see FIFA’s plans as an absolute attack on football. I share this view. A line has been crossed here."

He added that in the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarter-finals and three made it to the semi-finals. He believes that if European football stands together against these plans, it will make a big impact.

Javier Tebas, president of Spain’s La Liga, accused FIFA of using football's future for political gain. He said, "It doesn’t seem like a reform. It seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football."

He continued, "Development cannot be used to buy votes or silences. The competitions and commercial rights of FIFA are not the personal patrimony of Infantino."

The English Football Association also raised questions about how this proposal came about. They said, "Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved."

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, mentioned that national associations have not been properly involved in these discussions. He said, "It raises a lot of question marks for the federations, who have not been involved in the talks and do not have the specific details to be able to comment on these topics which are fundamental to the future of football."

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also criticized the plan. He claimed that the close relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump has affected financial matters. He stated, "The close relationship between the FIFA president and the US President has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No one has the right to sell our game."

Political leaders have also joined the conversation. European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef shared his thoughts on X. He said, "Hands off our game."

He warned that connecting FIFA’s regulatory power with private financial interests could lead to governance issues and conflicts of interest. He stated, "Particular concern arises when FIFA’s regulatory powers become aligned with the financial interests of private entities. When the value of investments depends on decisions made by FIFA. That raises profound questions about governance, independence and conflicts of interest."

UK politician Andy Burnham opposed the plan, saying, "Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine."

Democratic members of the US House Judiciary Committee also criticized the involvement of a company linked to Jared Kushner’s brother, calling the proposal inappropriate.

FIFA has not yet responded to the backlash.