Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Manchester United could feel the effects of UEFA and the Football Association (FA)’s battle with FIFA over the World Cup if the standoff prolongs for some time.
UEFA came out swinging on Thursday after European football’s 55-member association had voted to boycott future World Cups in response to FIFA’s call.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had sparked outrage after the football organisation had announced plans to sell off stakes in its competitions, including the World Cup.
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The private investors would have included associates of US President Donald Trump, who has shared a close relationship with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino.
“UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one,” UEFA said in an official statement.
“We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump present the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump present the trophy during the award ceremony following the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Man Utd might not be in the Club World Cup, but UEFA and the FA’s fightback against FIFA could lead to extended boycotts
Manchester United players, both men and women, will be impacted by UEFA’s decision if FIFA does not immediately U-turn on its plan to sell private stakes.
UEFA’s boycott is applied to all competitions that fall under the FIFA umbrella, including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup as well.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup is set to take place in Brazil next summer and the qualifying rounds for the tournament were expected to be held in late 2026.
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Following UEFA’s statement, the FA said on its official website: “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.”
The Club World Cup returned in 2025 in a revamped — and expanded — format last summer and Man Utd did not feature at the FIFA tournament in the United States.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Gianni Infantino at the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Scotland at Munich Football Arena on June 14, 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
But United could target entry in the 2029 Club World Cup competition, especially if the tournament includes more English teams as previous reports have suggested.
The Red Devils could make around £10m to £28m — at the time of writing at least — if they were simply able to secure entry into the next Club World Cup.
That is not to mention the cash injection that Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe could benefit from if Man Utd were able to make further progression in the tournament.
But UEFA and the FA’s fightback against FIFA and a prolonged standoff between all three organisations could impact Man Utd’s future Club World Cup involvement.