World

FIFA crisis: UEFA maintains boycott after Infantino withdraws investor deal

Herz — World Desk · 7 August 2026 at 19:41 · 30s summary · 3 min read

The essentials

Despite Gianni Infantino's withdrawal of his plan to sell up to 20% of a new FIFA entity to private investors for $4.2 billion on August 1, 2026, the crisis at world football's helm persists. On August 7, UEFA confirmed it maintains its boycott of all FIFA competitions, saying it has lost confidence in Infantino. FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Footballers), representing over 70,000 professional players, calls the move a "grave abuse of presidential power." Inside FIFA, a resignation and public opposition from the Director of Operations underscore the depth of the crisis.

Infantino withdrew his plan to sell roughly 20% of FIFA on August 1, 2026 for up to $4.2 billion
UEFA maintains its FIFA boycott on August 7, declaring loss of confidence in Infantino
FIFPRO denounces the move as a "grave abuse of presidential power"
A senior advisor resigned; the Director of Operations publicly opposed Infantino
Infantino's re-election in March 2027 is threatened by European federations withdrawing support

What we know

On August 1, 2026, Gianni Infantino withdrew his plan to sell approximately 20% of a new entity called "FIFA Forward Enterprise" to private investors for up to $4.2 billion. This withdrawal has not ended the crisis, according to Handelsblatt.

On August 7, 2026, UEFA confirmed it is maintaining its boycott of all FIFA competitions. The European confederation states it has lost confidence in Infantino: its conditions—including a guarantee that such attempts would "never be undertaken again"—have not been fully met.

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), the global union representing over 70,000 professional players, called Infantino's move a "grave abuse of presidential power." It added that lost trust cannot be restored through statements or internal audits.

grave abuse of presidential power
— FIFPRO (global players' union), cited by Handelsblatt

The plan required 106 of the 211 votes from FIFA members. Beyond UEFA, the Confederation of North American, Central American and Caribbean Football (Concacaf) and the AFC were also critical, making a majority impossible.

Internal tensions at FIFA

Carlos Cordeiro, one of Infantino's closest advisors—he represented FIFA in the Trump administration's working group for the World Cup—resigned, stating he did not participate in developing the plan.

Kevin Lamour, FIFA Director of Operations, publicly opposed Infantino, calling the plan "a single person's project." Lamour remained in his position.

a single person's project
— Kevin Lamour, FIFA Director of Operations, cited by Handelsblatt

According to the Financial Times, technology investor Joshua Kushner, 41, and younger brother of Jared Kushner (son-in-law of President Trump), was to lead the capital entry.

Timeline

Late July 2026
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, concluded. Infantino presented it as the most commercially successful tournament in history.
Infantino withdrew his plan to sell approximately 20% of "FIFA Forward Enterprise" to private investors for up to $4.2 billion.