European nations have agreed to boycott the World Cup if FIFA president Gianni Infantino proceeds with a plan to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors, according to reports. The threat came after UEFA, European football's governing body, warned it would boycott the event. North America's soccer body CONCACAF also rejected the funding plan on Thursday, joining the European opposition.
The plan, backed by Infantino, would involve selling parts of the World Cup to private equity firms. Critics argue it would compromise the tournament's integrity. UEFA's boycott threat and CONCACAF's rejection mark significant setbacks for Infantino, raising questions about his future as FIFA president.
The developments have sparked a crisis within FIFA, with European and North American bodies uniting against the proposal. Infantino's ability to secure approval now appears uncertain.