Uefa is not alone in its dissatisfaction.
Concacaf, which represents North and Central America and hosted this year’s World Cup, said it is deeply concerned about the lack of due process. It shared the region’s disappointment that such detailed plans were created and publicized before any dialogue with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders. It added that FIFA, the confederations, and all member associations have a collective duty to act in the sport’s best interests.
The French Football Federation said the proposal raises many questions, especially since member federations were not involved and lack the information needed to assess issues fundamental to football’s future.
La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Gianni Infantino of seeking to buy support ahead of the March FIFA Congress, arguing the move looks more like an election campaign bankrolled by football’s future than a true reform. He insisted development funds must not be used to purchase votes or silence dissent, said FIFA’s competitions and commercial rights are not Infantino’s personal property, and argued that mixing politics, discipline, money, and power without transparency disqualifies anyone from leadership. He concluded that Infantino is not the solution to FIFA’s governance challenges, but the problem.
The Asian Football Confederation said it values exploring innovations to strengthen global football, but stressed that initiatives of this scale must be grounded in good governance, transparency, and meaningful consultation.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, DFB vice-president and Borussia Dortmund president, called FIFA’s plans an outright attack on football. He said a red line has been crossed and that a united European stance against the proposals would carry significant weight.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the close relationship between the FIFA president and the US president has taken on a financial dimension that is damaging to the sport, adding that no one has the right to sell the game.
European Football Clubs, representing more than 850 clubs, said FIFA should have consulted them on a proposal of this magnitude. The group called for calm, thorough consultation on all matters affecting the football ecosystem, along with stronger and more transparent governance to protect the sport over the long term.
The Football Association of Wales said it has not received substantive details from FIFA about the reported plans and is concerned the matter became public before being shared with member associations.
There was at least one supportive voice within Uefa: Czech FA president David Trunda told Sky News he sees practical benefits for Czech football. He said more details are needed, but his personal view is that FIFA’s intentions could have a positive impact.
Global players’ union Fifpro urged FIFA to reconsider the proposal immediately, expressing deep concern about turning the World Cup and other FIFA competitions into investable assets for private capital. It warned such a shift would fundamentally and permanently change the incentives behind the competitions and criticized the largely behind-closed-doors process, given the potential implications for player welfare, the international match calendar, and the game’s governance.
The Confederation of African Football said its president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will convene its executive committee next week to assess and evaluate the proposals.