Uefa to hold emergency meeting over Fifa World Cup plans

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Uefa will convene an emergency virtual meeting of its 55 member associations on Thursday afternoon to consider its response to Fifa’s controversial proposal involving the future commercial structure of the World Cup and other Fifa competitions. The meeting will be led by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, according to the report.

The dispute intensified after Fifa sent a letter to its 211 member associations, seen by the BBC, asking them to decide by 19 September whether to back the proposal. The BBC says the offer includes an initial one-off payment of $40m, with $20m available first, for associations that accept. Uefa criticised the deadline and said Fifa had already “crossed a line” in its handling of the plan.

At issue is a proposal to sell a 20% stake in Fifa competitions to private finance, reportedly led by Thrive Eternal, an investment vehicle owned by Joshua Kushner. The BBC says several associations, including England’s Football Association, were angry that they learned of the plan through the media, and that FA chair Debbie Hewitt was among Fifa vice-presidents not briefed in advance. Uefa’s concerns have also been reflected by confederations in Asia, South America, and North and Central America.

Fifa released an explanatory document and video on Wednesday defending the plan as voluntary and part of a consultation process. Gianni Infantino argued it could accelerate global football development, including facilities, national teams, youth pathways and women’s football. Critics cited by the BBC include European Leagues, global players’ union Fifpro, La Liga president Javier Tebas and German football official Hans-Joachim Watzke, who raised concerns about private capital, transparency and governance.