The North American football confederation, CONCACAF, alongside its 41 Member Associations, has formally rejected FIFA‘s recent proposal regarding the privatization of major football tournaments. This announcement comes in the wake of similar opposition from Europe’s governing body, UEFA, which was the first among FIFA’s six continental confederations to publicly oppose the plan.
The controversial initiative, put forth by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, involves selling stakes in several of FIFA’s flagship competitions, including both the men’s and women’s World Cups as well as the Club World Cup, to private investors. All six confederations—UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, and OFC—were given a 53-day window to accept or reject the plan.
CONCACAF’s response was particularly pointed, revealing that the confederation only learned of the privatization proposal through media outlets and expressed significant concern over the lack of prior consultation with relevant football governance bodies.
CONCACAF Stands United Against FIFA’s Privatization Scheme
In a follow-up statement released on Thursday, CONCACAF emphasized its foundational commitment to the sport and transparent governance. The confederation underscored that over the past decade, it has worked diligently to build an organization centered on service and the long-term interests of football.
“History has shown FIFA and the football family what happens when the custodians of the game lose sight of these values,” the statement read, highlighting the risks involved in separating football from its core principles in favor of commercial interests.
To address the issue decisively, CONCACAF convened a meeting with the presidents of all 41 Member Associations, reaffirming their unity and opposition to FIFA’s privatization plan. This collective stance signals a growing resistance within the global football community toward the commercialization strategies proposed by FIFA’s leadership.