What Is Going on with UEFA and FIFA ?
FIFA and UEFA are having some conflict that could change soccer forever! What started it and what's going on?
By George Ingarra
The Backstory
Since the early 1900s, both of these associations have been gaining a ton of money, but the problem is recent. FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, tried to create FFE, a 20 billion dollar commercial company that would sell up to 20% stake in World Cup operations to private investors ("'Football Is Not for Sale'"). UEFA hated this idea, saying that it was selling off the heart of the game.
President vs. President
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has been in a struggle of power with Aleksander Čeferin, President of the UEFA. Aleksander and the UEFA do not like what Gianni wants to do. He wants to change the FIFA competition to every two years. This has angered UEFA, who thought it would mess with the tournament’s prestige. They were also mad at Gianni for compromising rules, like when he turned over the Folarin Balogun red card during the 2026 World Cup.
One Red Card Made Things Worse
When USA’s Folarin Balogun got a red card during the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, President Donald Trump made a call to Gianni saying he did not think it was a foul. Gianni then suspended the red card, angering UEFA a lot more. They stated that he had “crossed a line” doing this ("'Football Is Not for Sale'"). Saying that it destroyed the integrity of the competition. Nations like Belgium felt discouraged, and later withheld support for Gianni’s re-election.
UEFA is Boycotting and the Upcoming Election
The UEFA is in full opposition to Gianni, which will make for an interesting FIFA presidential election on March 18, 2027. Europe has lost total confidence in Gianni, accusing him of backroom dealings and deception. The UEFA has filed requests for judges in the USA federal courts to step in and make FIFA hand over everything regarding the FFE plan ("'Football Is Not for Sale'"). More and more European soccer organizations are upset as well. The French Football Federation, or FFF, has withdrawn their support. Saying that Infantino’s actions have “Seriously damaged the image of football.” I think this conflict will go on until the upcoming election in Morocco on the 18th. Gianni plans to run for a fourth term, and the candidate submissions are due November 18th, 2026. So far, it looks like Victor Montagliani of Canada will be running against Gianni.
Works Cited
“'Football Is Not for Sale': UEFA Confirms Boycott of World Cup and FIFA Competitions.” Yahoo Sports, 30 July 2026, sports.yahoo.com/articles/football-not-sale-uefa-confirms-153850576.html.