UEFA doubles down on World Cup boycott as Infantino clings to power

UEFA has renewed its boycott threat against the World Cup, insisting it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while FIFA executives have publicly backed Infantino and admitted mistakes in the aborted stake‑sale plan. The article, by MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER, was published at 15:04 BST on 6 August 2026 and updated at 15:30 BST.

The European football governing body UEFA reiterated that it no longer trusts Gianni Infantino, stating again that it has "lost confidence" in his presidency and that the conditions for non‑participation in FIFA competitions remain unmet.

Infantino’s backlash began after he proposed to sell off stakes in the World Cup, a move described by UEFA on Saturday as a "shabby, back‑room, opaque deal" and which prompted the initial boycott threat.

FIFA responded on Wednesday with a statement giving Infantino "full support" while acknowledging "mistakes" in the plan, apologising to football associations in a letter and promising a review of the episode.

UEFA outlined two conditions for ending the boycott: the withdrawal of proposals to sell major competitions and guarantees that such attempts will never recur. The statement warned that these conditions have not been met.

FIFA rebuffs claim Infantino traded 2030 final to Morocco

An international football insider told Sport that "this had to be done" and that forcing Infantino out was the only solution.

Infantino called a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday; FIFA secretary‑general Mattias Grafström and other board members reaffirmed their full support for the President, adding that FIFA will protect its integrity and reputation.

Former star Luis Figo joined the criticism, calling the aborted World Cup stake sale "the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self‑interested behaviour" and branding Infantino a "relic" unfit for football’s future.

FIFA apologises for World Cup sale plan, Grafström admits mistake

Grafström later sent an all‑staff memo describing the situation as "sad and reproachable" and was photographed laughing with Infantino at a women’s Africa Cup of Nations match.

Should he survive the controversy, Infantino faces re‑election in March and would need 106 votes from FIFA’s 211 members to retain the presidency.