World Cup Sale Opposed By Football Clubs

The Football Association (FA) has condemned Fifa's plan to sell the World Cup to private investors, and Uefa is ready to boycott the tournament as the backlash intensifies against Gianni Infantino.

Senior figures in the game say "we have to act fast" to torpedo the £15bn plan of Infantino, the Fifa president, which Uefa says is trading the game's soul.

Various national governing bodies are poised to go public with concerns as talks intensify over a potential self-suspension from Fifa by Uefa members. It would mean European nations could withdraw from next summer's Women's World Cup, the 2029 Club World Cup and the 2030 men's World Cup.

In a statement sent to Telegraph Sport, the FA said: "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

"Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved. When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear, and comment further."

Last 29 July, the second of Fifa's six confederations came forward to condemn the plans. Concacaf, which represents countries in north and central America and the Caribbean, said they were "deeply concerned by the lack of due process."

Like other bodies, Concacaf said it has been blindsided by the deal.

"We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place," a statement added.

"As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, Fifa, the confederations and every member association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport. Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship."

European nations, including the Football Association (FA), will join a video call on 30 July, but lobbying is already under way behind the scenes to determine whether a boycott is realistic.

The 2021 Super League breakaway and 2020's "Project Big Picture" plot were killed in a matter of days. "Uefa are seismic about walking," one leading European football executive told Telegraph Sport. However, all 55 members of Uefa must agree to support a boycott.

The FA is among up to 200 nations to have written recently letters of support for Infantino's candidacy for re-election next year. However, Infantino's enemies say the president has taken his biggest risk with his base of support with his vision for further commercialising football's greatest stage.