CONCACAF officially rejected FIFA’s proposal to sell stakes in its World Cup tournaments to private investors, a stance that comes after UEFA announced it would boycott the organization’s competitions if the initiative is approved.
In a statement published on its website, the confederation representing North America, Central America, and the Caribbean announced that it had called an emergency meeting with its 41 member associations to analyze the proposal and establish a unified position.
During the meeting, members expressed concern about the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the short timeframe for its review, and the absence of review or approval by FIFA’s relevant governing bodies.
They also questioned the need to rely on private capital investment to fund the FIFA Forward programs, given that the organization has just hosted the most profitable World Cup in its history.
The statement also notes that the debate underscored the need to strengthen transparency and governance within FIFA. Consequently, CONCACAF and its 41 member associations formally rejected the proposal.
Finally, the confederation instructed its representatives on the FIFA Council to engage in dialogue with the organization to explore how existing financial reserves can be allocated to increase funding for the FIFA Forward program in the region, and to request that any future initiatives follow the governance processes established in the FIFA Statutes.
