FIFA Accuses UEFA of ‘Smear Campaign’ Amid Dispute Over World Cup Commercial Rights

Global football governing body FIFA has accused European football confederation UEFA of launching a smear campaign against the organization and its president, Gianni Infantino. The conflict centers on a contested proposal by FIFA to sell a stake in its commercial rights to private investors. The feud has triggered legal proceedings in the United States and sparked mounting political opposition to Infantino’s leadership ahead of his planned re-election bid in March 2027.

Legal disputes in US courts

The confrontation escalated after UEFA submitted an ex parte application in the US District Court in New York. Through the filing, UEFA sought to obtain testimony and documents from entities based in the United States for potential use in criminal proceedings in Switzerland, where both governing bodies are headquartered.

In response, FIFA filed a motion to intervene in the US District Court in Colorado on Thursday, asking the court to either postpone or dismiss the discovery process. In its court submission, FIFA described UEFA’s applications as “little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign” against FIFA leadership, while also characterizing UEFA’s actions as a “fishing expedition.”

Objections to commercial rights plan

At the center of the dispute is FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), an entity designed to transfer commercial rights associated with both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups to outside investors. UEFA argued that the initiative was developed without adequate consultation with FIFA’s 211 member associations or its internal governing bodies.

UEFA threatened to boycott future World Cup tournaments if the commercial plan goes forward. Additionally, UEFA demanded an independent external review into how the proposal was created, stating that “FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community to simply accept its conclusions.” FIFA rejected the criticism, contending that the European body is attempting to scupper the proposal in order to preserve European football’s dominance.

Broadening opposition to Infantino

The controversy surrounding the FFE plans has generated severe political fallout for Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. Multiple national associations have announced they will not support his re-election.

Calls for Infantino to step down have spread beyond Europe. Two other continental confederations—CONCACAF, representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)—have joined UEFA in demanding his resignation. Only the South American and African confederations continue to support the FIFA president.

Background

FIFA and UEFA are the primary administrative bodies for global and European football, respectively, with both organizations based in Switzerland. Relations between the global authority and its wealthiest continental confederation have frequently been strained over competition calendars, tournament expansions, and control over broadcasting and commercial revenues.