Hypocritical and Embarrassing: UEFA Must Act Against Infantino and FIFA

Commentary

Hypocritical and Embarrassing: UEFA Must Act Against Infantino and FIFA

Date: July 29, 2026

The news that FIFA, under the leadership of Gianni Infantino, is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors has sparked significant outrage within the football community. The UEFA has stated that "a line has been crossed," while other continental federations have expressed serious concerns. Even the European Union has intervened, demanding, "Hands off our sport!"

Money Over Everything

The fundamental question of who truly owns football remains difficult to answer, as the sport has increasingly become intertwined with the entertainment industry. However, when it comes to professional football, my stance is clear: FIFA and Infantino have long since sold the soul of the game. It appears that for them, money is the ultimate priority.

Moral considerations and regulations seem to hold little weight, as evidenced by incidents during the recently concluded 2026 World Cup. A notable example was the interference of former US President Donald Trump in the case of Folarin Balogun, which ultimately went without consequences.

A New Dimension

Infantino's latest move signifies a troubling new phase. Bringing investors on board would merely be the first step; these investors are not motivated by altruism but by profit maximization. We could see a World Cup expanded to 64 teams, a shift away from the traditional four-year cycle, and increased interruptions for advertising breaks—unfortunately, nearly anything seems possible.

Infantino's Undignified Approach to Trump

The proposed deal is particularly dubious as it involves negotiations with an investment firm linked to Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald Trump. Observers of Infantino's past interactions with Trump should not be surprised by this development.

FIFA and its president will likely argue that they are acting in the best interest of football, claiming that these changes will promote development and unity within the sport. This is nonsense; the focus is solely on financial gain and consolidating power. For Infantino, this deal could even lay the groundwork for his post-FIFA career, contradicting claims of being "committed only to the game."

The FIFA System

The 211 FIFA member associations stand to gain more than double their current annual revenues. Many of these federations are entirely dependent on this funding and will now have to decide whether to accept FIFA's offer. The outcome of this vote is predictable. This exemplifies the "FIFA system": the governing body provides financial support to its electorate in exchange for votes.

To increase pressure, Infantino has reportedly set a deadline of September 19 for member associations to respond. He insists that the "completely democratic decision" rests with the member federations.

Taking Action, Not Just Talking

I find these statements hypocritical and embarrassing. I hope that the swift rhetoric from the football community will be followed by coordinated action. Resistance must be demonstrated, not merely articulated. The European football governing body, UEFA, holds significant leverage; during the 2026 World Cup, six European teams made it to the quarter-finals, with three reaching the semi-finals.

UEFA's position is strong; without European teams, no prestigious tournament can occur. They have the capacity—and the obligation—to stop Infantino. The tools are available, ranging from threats to concrete measures.

UEFA as the More Moderate Football Association

While UEFA also seeks profit and growth, it has taken on the role of the "good opponent." It is crucial that they fulfill this role and speak with a unified voice, including the DFB.

If all conditions are met, I believe UEFA should escalate its response if necessary. It is imperative to halt Infantino and FIFA, thereby preventing the complete commercialization of football for the time being.