European nations discussing World Cup boycott after Gianni Infantino floats selling shares in spin-off venture

European nations are discussing boycotting the World Cup if Gianni Infantino pushes ahead with plans to sell off part of FIFA to private investors, Sky News can reveal.

UEFA nations will hold an emergency meeting virtually this week to discuss their opposition to FIFA's attempt to launch a new commercial company with external investment, a source said.

It was only after UEFA went public with concerns about plans it was hearing that FIFA confirmed its president Infantino wants to launch a subsidiary worth $20bn (£15bn) and sell off more than 20% of the new FIFA Forward Enterprise by raising $4.2bn (£3.16bn).

It's understood the Football Association was completely unaware of the plans before Tuesday's rushed announcement by FIFA.

FIFA did not raise the landmark strategy during meetings with football associations in New York on the eve of the World Cup final.

The plans and way they have emerged provoked renewed fury within UEFA at how Infantino is running FIFA.

European football's governing body said in a statement: "This crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously.

"So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.

"The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade - especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA's to sell."

We understand that there is a willingness for European nations to use the ultimate threat of boycotting the World Cup if Infantino does not back down.

The next World Cup is the women's tournament in Brazil next year.

In 2021, FIFA did drop a bid to stage the World Cup every two years when UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said European nations would not participate.

It was only last month that FIFA was accused by UEFA during the World Cup of damaging the integrity of football by lifting the immediate suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun following direct pleas from US President Donald Trump.

Ceferin then snubbed the World Cup final, having attended the opening match.

But in 2025, UEFA accused Infantino of prioritising "private political interests" when he turned up late for his own FIFA Congress to join Trump's Gulf tour.

While FIFA is working with JPMorgan, there are also Trump links to Infantino's plans for FIFA Forward Enterprise.

FIFA confirmed that the lead investor group is proposed to be Thrive Eternal. Its CEO is Josh Kushner, whose brother, Jared, is Trump's son-in-law.

Sky News reported in February how Infantino pushed plans for a FIFA crypto coin during a trip to a private event run by the Trump family's venture, World Liberty Financial.

Infantino responded to UEFA's criticism on Tuesday by framing the sell-off around raising more cash for member associations to invest in football.

From 2027 to 2030, they would have access to $20m rather than $8m to spend on infrastructure, coaching, national teams, competitions and grassroots development.

Infantino said: "Our next stage of growth needs a structure built for it, one where the commercial side of the game operates as a focused, dedicated business, with its value shared more and better all around the world.

"Every FIFA Member Association should have an opportunity to seek a fair share of the available funding to shape its own future, deciding for itself rather than relying on others. This is about the democratisation of football worldwide."

On X, the prime minister said football "belongs to the fans" not investors.

Andy Burnham added: "The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out."

More from Sky News:
Fan of serial killer TV show guilty of double murder
Mum and boyfriend guilty of killing her daughter

FIFA did not immediately comment on the bonuses that Infantino could receive for advancing plans worth $20bn.

His salary last year reached $6m - almost half from his bonus rising 33% from delivering the first-expanded Club World Cup in the United States.

Current term limits mean he would have to relinquish the FIFA presidency in 2031 if re-elected next year after first succeeding the disgraced Sepp Blatter in 2016.

But it's understood Infantino could move into a more lucrative role overseeing the World Cup if the spin-off is approved.

UEFA's opposition could be hindered by having 55 member associations and FIFA saying it only needs support from a majority of the 211 FAs - many of whom lack the financial might of Europe and rely on funding from the global body.

But FIFA relies on European teams for the success of the World Cup - with Spain the current men's and women's champions - and that gives them the power to threaten withdrawing in opposition to Infantino.

(c) Sky News 2026: European nations discussing World Cup boycott after Gianni Infantino floats selling shares in spin-off venture