Uefa has declared a boycott of Fifa competitions as Gianni Infantino continues with contentious plans to privatise the World Cup — but the key question is whether other bodies will line up with Europe.
Uefa confirmed the remarkable step after an emergency meeting of its 55 member associations on Thursday, saying European football was “standing as one” in opposition to the proposals.
Infantino has not retreated despite Uefa’s boycott threat, with a statement issued on Friday morning confirming that Fifa will press ahead with its consultation process before a vote scheduled for 19 September.
Fifa can approve the proposals only if a majority of its 211 member associations — meaning more than half — vote in favour, and if the Fifa High Council also supports them.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, or Concacaf, has 41 members. In a statement released on Thursday after its own emergency meeting, Concacaf “rejected the proposal” and voiced “deep concerns about the lack of due process”.
Concacaf did not go as far as joining Uefa’s boycott, however, though it is understood that a large majority of its members have lost confidence in Infantino’s presidency. “The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance,” Concacaf said.
Stance: Against
The Asian Football Confederation, which has 47 members, issued a statement on Friday morning confirming that it “stands in solidarity with Uefa and Concacaf” in raising “serious concerns” about Fifa’s proposal.
“The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game,” the AFC said.
“The AFC believes that the proposed [Football Forward Enterprise] cannot realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward,” it added.
Even sharper criticism came on Thursday from AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, who said Fifa’s approach was “unacceptable” and would “undermine the very foundations of continental football”.
The AFC also urged Fifa to “undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework”.
Stance: Against
The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) said on Tuesday that it would meet next week to “assess and evaluate” Fifa’s proposals.
CAF has 54 member associations, and its statement said: “CAF is committed to continue consulting and working together with its Member Associations, Fifa, other Football Confederations and stakeholders in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”
It has not yet responded to Uefa’s boycott and, while it has not openly backed the move, it has also not criticised any part of Fifa’s proposals.
Stance: Open to consideration
South American governing body Conmebol has still not commented publicly. Conmebol has only 10 members, but Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are due to host matches at the 2030 World Cup. In theory, if co-hosts Spain and Portugal were to boycott the tournament, South America could find itself in a position to stage more World Cup matches alongside the only remaining co-host, Morocco.
Uefa and Conmebol had previously signed a “memorandum of understanding”, agreeing to a “strategic collaboration agreement to strengthen and develop football in both regions” — but it remains unclear whether Conmebol will side with Fifa or Uefa.
Stance: To be determined
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has 11 member associations, including countries such as the Cook Islands and Tahiti, which are among the smallest of Fifa’s 211 members. It does not include Australia, which is part of the AFC.
In a statement on Thursday, the OFC said Fifa’s proposals would be discussed by the OFC Executive Committee in August. It neither criticised nor endorsed Fifa’s plans.
It added: “OFC remains committed to engaging constructively with its Member Associations, Fifa, fellow Confederations and other football stakeholders throughout the consultation process and in support of the continued development of football across Oceania and globally.”
As matters stand, Uefa appears to have enough support to defeat the proposals — provided its 55 member associations “follow the whip”. Its 55 votes, together with Concacaf’s 41 and the AFC’s 54, would give opponents of Fifa’s proposals 150 of the 211 votes. To secure a majority of more than 50 per cent, 106 votes are required.
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