After Gianni Infantino decided to scrap his plan of selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors, UEFA said it's lost confidence in the FIFA leader.

UEFA’s secret plans for a “Global Nations League” have been leaked, positioning it as a rival to the World Cup amid growing pressure for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose future is hanging in the balance following a wave of nations withdrawing their support.

This is an updated version of an article that first appeared on The Athletic in May 2025. For an insight into the one-upmanship between FIFA, the world football governing body, and UEFA, its European counterpart,

UEFA will boycott all FIFA competitions, including World Cups, until a controversial proposal to bring in private investment is killed.

July 29 - FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and sell minority stakes to external investors has highlighted the balance of power within world soccer. While FIFA is the sport's global governing body,

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with President of the United States Donald J. Trump during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026,

The Asian Football Confederation has joined the North, Central America and Caribbean football association and UEFA in opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors.

UEFA had pledged to boycott FIFA competitions until plans to sell stakes in a World Cup company to private investors were scrapped.