Fifa plan for private World Cup funding 'crosses line', says Uefa

Uefa has warned that Fifa’s proposal to secure private investment for its tournaments, including the World Cup, "crosses line". The European governing body issued a furious response to the idea.

The dispute follows proposals from Fifa to seek private funding for its competitions. Uefa, the organisation responsible for football across Europe, strongly criticised that approach. Officials characterised the initiative as unacceptable and made their disapproval public.

Fifa’s proposals specifically mention using private capital in staging and supporting its events, with the World Cup among the competitions referenced. Uefa said the plan "crosses line" and framed the move as beyond acceptable limits. The language used signalled an unusually confrontational exchange between the two football authorities.

European football’s governing body expressed its anger directly in reaction to the proposals. Uefa’s response emphasised that the idea of attracting private investment into Fifa competitions was met with strong opposition. That response reiterated the view that such a step would be inappropriate for the sport’s major tournaments.

The row centres on Fifa’s intent to explore different sources of funding for its events and Uefa’s clear rejection of that approach. The World Cup was explicitly cited among the competitions in scope of the proposals, drawing particular attention. Uefa’s comment that the plan "crosses line" encapsulated the intensity of its reaction.

The public exchanges between Fifa and Uefa mark a tense moment in relations between the global and European governing bodies. Both organisations are now on record with opposing positions over private investment in major football competitions. The disagreement leaves the future shape of any such funding arrangements uncertain.