European, Asian, and South American football federations issue a joint statement criticizing FIFA and its president

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), alongside the Asian Football Confederation and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), issued a joint statement today, strongly criticizing the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and its president, Gianni Infantino, describing attempts to sell a stake in World Cup tournaments as a step that violates institutional trust.

The statement said that Infantino has placed himself above the collective interest through his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup.

The statement read: “Football is the greatest shared passion in the world. It does not belong to any single individual or institution, but to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations, and every body entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding its future. In this spirit, and as continental confederations representing our members, we speak today with one voice.

He added: “Growth over the past decade has been real, but this progress was never the product of a single person’s work; it was the result of joint efforts between FIFA, the continental confederations, the member associations, and thousands of individuals who have dedicated their lives to this game. He clarified that expanding the tournaments, awarding the hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, and distributing resources to the associations were all joint achievements, agreed upon together and implemented together. This is not about money; the continental confederations have already called for the responsible distribution of FIFA’s substantial current reserves to enhance investment in the development of member associations.

He continued: “This is not about any member association losing the support it deserves, despite attempts to instill fear among our members to suggest otherwise. Nor is it about reconsidering the expansion of competitions, World Cup qualification slots, or any other decisions reached collectively. Those decisions were made together and must remain in place. This is about something more fundamental: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it.

The joint statement pointed out that leadership in football is not personal property, nor is it a contest for control or a claim to impose it; rather, it is a duty of service to the football family that has placed its trust in those leaders.

It added: “When this trust is violated through deception, and when an individual places himself above the community that granted him authority, this duty is neglected and abandoned.

He said: “FIFA’s recent communication to the vice-presidents and the 211 member associations acknowledges that mistakes were made during this process, but it treats the matter as merely a failure of communication, whereas what football has actually experienced is a failure of judgment and wisdom. Presenting a proposal under a tight timeline, without genuine consultation, and pushing it toward a deadline before member associations can adequately review its terms is not the result of oversight or negligence, but of a deliberate plan to limit oversight and scrutiny.