FIFA's World Cup plans explained: Why UEFA is holding an emergency meeting

UEFA is set to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the controversial FIFA’s World Cup stakeholder plans and how to deal with such a plan.

Not only did European football's governing body but also other associations slammed FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino for presenting “sell the World Cup plan” to private investors with a $40 million incentive to accept.

UEFA also issued a statement, "We have learned of Fifa's deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan."

This was UEFA's second statement. In the first statement, the body equated the World Cup related decision to FIFA’s act of crossing a line.

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross. UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every national football association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game….None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell,” it said.

At the time of writing, the content of the meeting that is going to be discussed is still unknown. The meeting is also scheduled to be held virtually.

FIFA’s World Cup stakeholder plans at heart of dispute

The dispute stems from FIFA’s World Cup stakeholder plans based on establishing a new commercial entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise with an aim to raise billions of pounds.

To make the matter worse, FIFA also gave a deadline to all 211 member associations until September 19 to support his commercial company project and to decide if they want to accept the deal and with it the first $20 million of an initial $40 million.

The funds would triple development money for 211 member associations, delivering $20 million every four years starting 2027 for grassroots projects in overlooked areas.

As per letter, “The decision on whether or not to proceed with this proposal belongs entirely to you.”

Speaking about the implementation of the FIFA Forward Enterprise, the letter revealed that it is entirely conditional and based on two steps.

The support by way of participation of the majority (exceeding 50 percent) of FIFA Member Association in the process by the deadline stipulated. The express approval by the FIFA council to enact requisite adjustments to the Forward Programme.

Defending the proposal

These clauses stipulated in the letter triggered global backlash. To defend the decision, FIFA argues that too little of football’s growing commercial revenue currently reaches the parts of the sport that need financial support the most.

Moreover, Infantino also defended the plans as “an offer, not an obligation” for the member associations, adding it is also a "golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally" through a democratic consultation process.

The World Cup body also claims that the purpose of funding is to deliver better pitches, strong national teams and greater support for women’s football.

Widespread global backlash

Besides UEFA, other associations also criticized this decision. The European Leagues organisation said FIFA’s plans represented "a reckless and divisive development for world football.”

Global players' union Fifpro urged Fifa to "reconsider its proposal without further delay", adding “such a move would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions" and it was "particularly troubling that a project of this magnitude has been developed largely behind closed doors.”

CONCACAF also fired back at the decision and shared regional disappointment that sensitive details were publicized before any consultation with relevant stakeholders and governance bodies.

La Liga president Javier Tebas slammed Infantino’s leadership and governance, stating the leadership cannot go well when one mixes discipline, money, power and politics… “Infantino is the problem for FIFA’s governance.”