UEFA and Multiple Federations Lose Faith in FIFA President Infantino After Private Investment Plan Withdrawn

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Friday (July 31) the withdrawal of plans to sell minority stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors, following widespread opposition globally. The decision, initially announced on Tuesday (July 28), drew sharp reactions, though much criticism was not directly aimed at Infantino personally.

The fallout from the plan's withdrawal includes official statements from major federations, ranging from votes of no confidence to cautious calls for reform.

UEFA: 'Loss of confidence in current FIFA leadership'

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) welcomed the decision to withdraw the plan but stressed it was not the end of the matter.

"The current FIFA leadership has lost the confidence not only of UEFA but also of many other members of the football family," UEFA's statement read. "UEFA will immediately engage with partners and stakeholders worldwide to propose a new allocation of resources through the existing FIFA Forward programme."

"This is a victory for the entire sport. But it must not stop there. The plan has been rejected. The task of rebuilding trust in FIFA has only just begun."

Reactions from Asia and Europe

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said the future of global football must be shaped through proper consultation, collective dialogue, and respect for established governance structures. He affirmed the AFC's readiness to support any initiative that strengthens unity within the football family.

The Football Association (FA) of England stated it "stands with its European colleagues" in opposing FIFA's plan: "The World Cup belongs to football and always will."

Meanwhile, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) issued a stronger statement: "The withdrawal of the proposal does not resolve the issue. The way this process was conducted has led to a fundamental breach of trust in the leadership of the FIFA President. The KNVB no longer has confidence in his leadership."

Swedish Football Association President Simon Astrom welcomed the withdrawal but expressed concerns about "shortcomings in transparency and governance," emphasizing the importance of continued discussions on how football is governed and developed.

Calls to uphold principles

Pascale Van Damme, President of the Board of Directors of the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), pledged to maintain "a strong, independent, and sustainable model for international football."

Australian Football Association President Anter Isaac stressed that football must continue to innovate, but "some principles must never change: integrity, independence, good governance, transparency, meaningful consultation, and due process. They are not barriers to progress but the foundation for sustainable progress."