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Morning Edition

July 30, 2026

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FIFA’s plan to sell a stake in its commercial business has sparked a global backlash. UEFA is threatening a World Cup boycott, while other soccer leaders are criticizing both the proposal and how it was rolled out.

— Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]

First Up First at FOS: The Seattle Storm apologized after a co-owner’s confrontation with Sophie Cunningham supporters during Tuesday’s game. Read the story [[link removed]]. Shohei Ohtani’s injuries and offensive slump are raising new questions as the Dodgers eye another postseason run. Read the story [[link removed]]. First at FOS: The NFL Flag Championships set a viewership record as interest continues growing ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut. Read the story [[link removed]]. Dana White is shifting his vision for Zuffa Boxing as the promotion embraces co-promoted championship fights. Read the story [[link removed]]. ‘It Is Not FIFA’s to Sell’: Soccer Erupts Over Infantino’s World Cup Plan [[link removed]]

James Lang-Imagn Images via Reuters

FIFA announced Tuesday that it plans to spin the revenue-generating parts of its business [[link removed]] into a new $20 billion commercial arm, FIFA Forward Enterprise, and sell roughly 20% of that company to new minority investors, led by a firm owned by Joshua Kushner—the brother of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

The plan, which initially promised $20 million to each national soccer federation in the upcoming World Cup cycle followed by increases for the next two cycles, quickly drew strong reactions.

The European confederation, UEFA, immediately released a statement [[link removed]] condemning the proposed move.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially,” UEFA said. “None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

UEFA will hold an emergency meeting this week to determine its response, including a possible World Cup boycott, according to multiple reports.

The North American [[link removed]] and Asian confederations released statements that did not comment on the substance of the plan, but they blasted FIFA for unveiling it without consulting them first.

One continental confederation was more measured. CAF, the African governing body, merely said it planned [[link removed]] to “assess and evaluate” the new proposal.

But even with major confederations showing resistance, FIFA president Gianni Infantino could still push the idea through.

To move forward, FFE needs support from only the majority of the 211 national soccer federations that make up FIFA’s membership, plus necessary approvals from the 37-member FIFA council. Every member association gets one vote, so smaller nations that would greatly benefit from a multimillion-dollar cash injection hold just as much sway as powerhouses in Europe in FIFA elections.

At least one country is already showing a willingness to break from their continental confederation. The president of the Czech Republic’s federation, David Trunda, told Sky News [[link removed]]: “Of course we need more details, but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of FIFA’s intentions.”

Left in the Dark

Concacaf, the North and Central American confederation, said it was “deeply concerned by the lack of due process” after it first learned of the plan through media reports. Concacaf did not criticize the plan itself. “Every decision we make must be guided by good governance, robust processes and long-term stewardship,” its early Wednesday morning statement [[link removed]] said.

The Asian Football Confederation put out a similar message. “The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels,” its Wednesday statement [[link removed]] read.

England’s federation, the Football Association [[link removed]], said it was “completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is, and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved,” the FA said.

Europeans Are Livid

The board of European Leagues—the organization comprising dozens of professional soccer leagues including the continent’s major leagues in Spain, France, England, Germany, and Italy—held a meeting Wednesday and released a statement saying that the leagues “firmly reject this proposal” and calling the plan “reckless and divisive.”

“The World Cup should not be for sale,” the board’s statement read [[link removed]]. “It is not FIFA President’s private equity asset.”

The Premier League shared the European Leagues’s statement, saying [[link removed]]: “The Premier League is a founder member of the European Leagues and fully supports this statement.”

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said [[link removed]] the proposal “seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football,” and called Infantino “the problem” to FIFA’s governance. He also posted a photo of an iceberg with FIFA hovering above the top, along with a phrase translated from Spanish: “What is known is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Andy Burnham, the U.K.’s new prime minister, posted against the plan [[link removed]]: “The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell.”

The Football Supporters’ Association [[link removed]], which represents fans in England and Wales, said they are “furious” at FIFA’s “new low.”

The European division of the global players’ union, FIFPRO [[link removed]], said the new model would allow “financial interests to outweigh the voices of those who play, support and sustain the game.”

Infantino’s Letter and UEFA’s Response

After the announcement, Infantino sent a letter to the federations saying they have until Sept. 19 to accept the plan, The Times of London first reported [[link removed]].

Infantino’s letter promised an extra $20 million “fast forward” incentive if countries accept—bringing their total for the World Cup cycle to $40 million. Under what Infantino said was the status quo without the plan, federations would receive $10 million each for the cycle.

“This says everything you need to know about the plan,” UEFA said in a Wednesday statement about the September deadline [[link removed]]. “But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme. FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends.”

UEFA’s emergency meeting will be Thursday, Sky Sports reported [[link removed]]. The confederation previously threatened to boycott the World Cup after FIFA tried to make the tournament happen every two years. UEFA stages its European Championship in the two years between World Cups.

FIFA and UEFA have been locked in a power battle for years. FIFA’s expansion of the Club World Cup into a billion-dollar tournament [[link removed]] last summer was widely viewed as a direct attempt to rival UEFA’s Champions League. European federations [[link removed]] and UEFA [[link removed]] have been highly critical of Infantino’s close relationship with Trump [[link removed]], and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final [[link removed]] to protest FIFA’s decision to reverse Folarin Balogun’s [[link removed]] suspension following calls from Trump.

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In the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index [[link removed]], EY Consulting examines how 3,746 U.S. adults participate, connect, and consume sports across more than 100 categories. From emerging sports like padel, pickleball, and 3×3 basketball to the growing influence of wellness and community-driven experiences, the data reveals where the next wave of sports growth is coming from.

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ONE BIG FIG Transfer Fallout

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

$950,000

That’s the combined amount that Ole Miss said two former football players owe after transferring to rival LSU shortly after signing revenue-sharing deals. The school filed separate lawsuits seeking $550,000 from Princewill Umanmielen and $400,000 from Devin Harper.

The cases are the latest legal fight over whether schools can enforce termination clauses tied to revenue-sharing contracts. More lawsuits could follow as schools continue to navigate the new revenue-sharing era. Read the story [[link removed]].

DAILY SPORTS TRIVIA

Can you rank the top five teams by the most goals scored in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

[[link removed]] LOUD AND CLEAR Sunday Traffic

Marton Monus-Reuters

“We are fighting the U.S. against NFL and we need to avoid any kind of situation that would put us in front of something that is still very big in the U.S.”

—That’s what Formula One president Stefano Domenicali said while explaining why F1 won’t add another U.S. race if it needs to replace events in Qatar or Abu Dhabi. He said the series doesn’t want to compete directly with the NFL for attention.

F1 is considering moving its season finale to Europe if the war in the Middle East forces changes to its schedule. Domenicali said a final decision is expected by the middle of September. Read the story [[link removed]].

YOUR MORNING LISTEN

USMNT nearing Pochettino return, FIFA draws UEFA criticism, Yankees and Knicks to DAZN, and more

Listen Now › [[link removed]] Editors’ Picks PLL Takes Page From NHL With 4-Team International Tournament [[link removed]]by Meredith Turits [[link removed]]The league hopes to replicate the success of recent blockbuster international events. Record Salary Cap Pushes NFL Contracts to New Highs [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Historic contracts continue to show the league’s deep pockets. Yankees, Knicks RSNs Ditch Gotham App for DAZN Deal [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Yankees, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and Sabres all head to DAZN. Question of the Day

Do you think FIFA should be allowed to sell a stake in its commercial business?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s result: 94% of respondents don’t think LIV Golf will be around next year.

Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Games [[link removed]] Shop [[link removed]] Written by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Dennis Young [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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