Infantino insists FIFA World Cup plan is proposal not 'obligation' as UEFA holds emergency meeting

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Members of the FA and UEFA, alongside football fans, were left up in arms after it was revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino planned to sell off a $4 billion stake in its worldwide competitions.

The proposal sparked widespread fury, with suggestions UEFA's 55 member states could stage a World Cup boycott in protest.

The proposals tabled by Infantino are said to include plans for a separate $20bn (£15bn) company, created in order to run its international competitions, with 20% of that total to be offered to external investors.

Josh Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, was among the first private equity heads to express their interest in such an investment.

“It’s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above ⁠all, it is an opportunity but not ⁠an obligation, and, as I said, it kicks off the consultation process,” Infantino said in a video provided by FIFA on Wednesday.

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"And the flagship tournament it ‌organises, ‌like the FIFA World Cup or the FIFA Women’s World Cup, will always remain," he assured.

UEFA is set to hold an emergency meeting today after leaked documents revealed Fifa plans to open the World Cup to outside investment.

It comes amid reports that FIFA has expedited the investment process in the wake of plans leaking, with the first private financing to take place in less than 100 days - an accelerated launch of a new World Cup spinoff venture, Sky News revealed.

Proposals leaked on Thursday to Sky Sports come as many viewed the venture critically and as a means by which Infantino could remain in a lucrative job overseeing the World Cup.

Under FIFA rules, Infantino is set to vacate his position as president in 2031, having hit the leadership term limit.

It comes amid reports that FIFA has expedited the investment process in the wake of plans leaking, with the first private financing to take place in less than 100 days - an accelerated launch, despite the body's insistence that a "consultation process" has been launched into the plans.

On Wednesday, UEFA accused FIFA of using football “to enrich themselves and their friends” over proposals to sell off stakes in its major competitions.

UEFA said the proposal "crosses a line that football's governing institutions should never cross", while England's Football Association (FA) said it was "deeply concerned" about what it called a "lack of process and governance" and "the apparent substance and principles involved".

It also saw Prime Minister Andy Burnham release a statement insisting such a move would confirm the footballing body had "sold out" and the World Cup "was never anyone's to sell".

He wrote on X: "Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

"The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone's to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will."

European Leagues – an association that represents more than 1,000 clubs across 31 countries – released a statement condemning the proposal by FIFA.

That statement was echoed by the Premier League, a founding member of the European Leagues, which insisted it "fully supports this statement".