Infantino’s 64‑team World Cup plan meets UEFA boycott threat

FIFA has accelerated a plan to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, driven by Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in the tournament to private investors. The move was outlined in a brief revealed by Martin Ziegler of The Times on Thursday 30 July, ahead of the 2030 edition.

The brief sets a tight timetable: an independent agency must submit its commercial and ecosystem impact proposals by 7 August, FIFA will decide on the expansion on 14 August, and a final analysis is due on 11 September.

UEFA has pledged to boycott the competition if the 64‑team proposal is approved, adding significant pressure on FIFA to reconsider the plan.

The boycott stance has been echoed by CONCACAF, the North American and Caribbean confederation, and the Asian Football Confederation, both of which have officially rejected the expansion plan.

Infantino pitches World Cup sale as UEFA and Pro League chief balk

FIFA intends to appoint an independent agency to assess the commercial and ecosystem impact, emphasizing a B2B‑focused study. The brief notes that consumer or fan evidence may be used but should not dominate the analysis, and it calls for testing market appetite and the risk of commercial saturation across brands, broadcasters and leagues.

Infantino responded by asserting that “nobody is selling football” and confirmed that the consultation period will continue after what he called “erroneous reporting in the media”. A vote on the proposal is scheduled for 19 September.

FIFA pushes ahead with World Cup share sale despite European opposition

He has lined up an investor group led by Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner. The group is prepared to take a minority stake, and members who back the proposal before the deadline will receive $40 million, with an initial $20 million allocated to those gaining access through the MAs.

The Independent highlighted its coverage ranging from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, stressing the need for reporters on the ground at this critical moment in US history. The combined opposition and commercial incentives underscore a clash between FIFA’s expansion ambitions and UEFA’s resistance.