UEFA and Infantino clash over World Cup boycott in Europe

In a dramatic turn, UEFA announced today that it will temporarily boycott FIFA competitions, including the World Cup (WK), following an emergency meeting of all 55 UEFA member states (UEFA-lidstaten) – among them the Netherlands (Nederland) – to discuss FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s latest commercial proposals.

UEFA countries (UEFA-landen) gathered to examine FIFA’s plan to attract private investors by selling shares of a newly created company that would manage all commercial activities around World Cups. The proposal would affect every FIFA competition (FIFA-competitie) that the continent participates in.

"As a result of today's discussions, no national team that is a UEFA member will take part in a FIFA competition as long as these proposals remain on the table," the organization wrote. This statement underscores the collective resolve of the 55 member associations.

UEFA declares European teams will boycott FIFA tournaments

The stance will stay in place "until the proposal is fully laid down and binding guarantees are given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership." The condition sets a clear deadline for negotiations.

"Let there be no doubt: UEFA and its national associations will resist these plans with absolute determination," the European football body continued. "Some things are simply too important to sell."

UEFA's boycott threat rattles FIFA and puts the World Cup at risk

"The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And as long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale," the statement concluded, reinforcing the cultural significance of the tournament.