UEFA and its 55 national associations have unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors, warning that European national teams could withdraw from FIFA tournaments if the plan remains in place.

Axar.az reports, in a statement released Thursday, that UEFA said the World Cup was “not an investment product” and argued that football’s biggest competitions should not be controlled by private investors seeking financial returns.

“The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale,” UEFA said in the statement.

The European football body accused FIFA of developing the proposal without proper consultation with national associations, calling the process a failure of leadership.

“It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game,” UEFA said.

UEFA warned that private ownership of FIFA competitions could fundamentally change football governance by prioritizing investor interests over sporting considerations.

"The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders."

UEFA said European football would not support a model in which financial interests influence decisions over competition formats, calendars and the future direction of the sport.

The organization announced that its national teams would refuse to participate in FIFA competitions as long as the proposal remains active.

“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership,” UEFA said.

UEFA concluded that it would continue opposing the plan, saying the World Cup should remain under football’s control.

“The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”

It should be noted that yesterday UEFA also issued another statement regarding FIFA’s plans to sell part of the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors.