A picture shows the FIFA logo during a press conference held by the president of the football’s governing body at the FIFA Executive Football Summit on February 15, 2019 in Istanbul. EU sports chief on July 29, 2026 hit out at FIFA’s plans to sell a stake in its competitions including the World Cup, warning international football’s governing body: “Hands off our game.” (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)
FIFA has told member associations they will each receive $40 million if they back a plan to sell stakes in major competitions — but they must sign up by September 19.
The sport’s global governing body on Tuesday announced proposals to set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, including the World Cup, sparking a furious backlash.
European football’s governing body UEFA said the World Cup was not an “asset to trade” while the Asian Football Confederation said it had not been consulted.
EU sports chief Glenn Micallef told FIFA on Wednesday: “Hands off our game.”
