In a dramatic announcement, UEFA has confirmed that all European nations will boycott the next World Cup if FIFA continue with their plans to privatise the event. This decision, however, could have a big impact on Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sparked outrage with his plot to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The aim is to keep just 51 per cent of all of FIFA's major international competitions, but then sell off the rest to those who will fork out millions.
In response to the news, an emergency virtual meeting was held, with all 55 UEFA nations voting 'unanimously in support of boycotting the World Cup.' That move comes with potential ramifications for English clubs.
Premier League Teams May Suffer From UEFA Boycott
General view of a Premier League match ball on displayPremier League match ball via REUTERS/Phil Noble
UEFA's move to boycott FIFA doesn't just mean the World Cup could lose all of its European nations, but the same would also apply to the expanded Club World Cup. A statement from the body confirmed:
"As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership."
This could be bad news for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Indeed, FIFA will host the Club World Cup in 2029. It's set to be expanded to a 48-team tournament, which would likely mean those three English sides would qualify for the tournament.
However, if UEFA are still boycotting FIFA in 2029, those Premier League sides will not be able to compete. In fact, all European sides will be excluded, so the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain would also be absent.
Chelsea won the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in 2025, but that does not ensure automatic qualification. They finished 10th in the Premier League last season, so it remains unclear if they would even qualify to defend their crown in 2029 (provided UEFA have ended the boycott).
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino Related
Gianni Infantino to Earn Huge Amount in New Salary if FIFA Privatise the World Cup
The FIFA president will enjoy a huge financial boost if all goes to plan.
English FA Back UEFA's Boycott Stance
Thomas TuchelREUTERS/Dylan Martinez
UEFA have made it clear in no uncertain terms that they totally oppose any FIFA plan to sell the World Cup. A statement explained: "UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors."
Despite any repercussions for Premier League teams hoping to play in the Club World Cup – or for England to compete at the 2030 World Cup – a spokeswoman for the English FA has come out in firm support of UEFA's stance. A statement said:
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our European colleagues and fully support the collective view. We oppose Fifa’s plans – the Fifa World Cup belongs to football and always will.”
A total of £740m prize money was paid to teams competing in the 2025 Club World Cup, with winners Chelsea thought to have earned about £84m. As such, the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and any other English teams could miss out on a lot if the boycott remains in place.