Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has described Fifa president Gianni Infantino's abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup as 'even worse than the Super League plan', and warned he will face an opponent if he runs for re-election in March.
Key facts
- Ceferin called Infantino's Football Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme 'even worse than the Super League plan', according to the Guardian.
- The FFE plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was shelved amid widespread opposition at the start of August.
- Uefa is pushing for Infantino to quit, backed by Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation.
- Ceferin warned Infantino he will face an opponent if he seeks re-election next March.
- Uefa has not dropped a threat to boycott Fifa competitions, with talks under way with Concacaf over a combined Nations League tournament.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has launched a pointed attack on his Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino, describing Infantino’s failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup as “even worse than the Super League plan”, according to the Guardian.
The criticism centres on the Football Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, which the Guardian reports was shelved amid widespread opposition at the start of August. Ceferin has led Uefa’s firm collective stance against the proposal.
Ceferin framed the resistance as protecting the game, saying: “We stopped another try to steal the sport.” The comparison to the Super League — the breakaway club competition that collapsed under fierce opposition — signals how seriously European football’s governing body views the World Cup stakes plan.
The Uefa president also issued a direct warning over Infantino’s future, telling the embattled Fifa chief that he will face an opponent should he choose to run for re-election next March, according to the Guardian.
Uefa is actively pushing for Infantino to quit and has drawn support from other confederations, including Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, the Guardian reports.
The dispute has escalated further, with Uefa yet to drop a threat to boycott Fifa competitions. At the same time, talks are under way with Concacaf to set up a combined Nations League tournament, according to the Guardian.
Why it matters
The clash exposes a deepening split between Fifa's global leadership and powerful regional confederations over the commercial direction of the World Cup. The outcome could reshape how football's biggest tournament is run and financed, and may determine whether Infantino remains in charge of the sport's world governing body.
Frequently asked questions
What was Infantino's World Cup plan?
According to the Guardian, it was the Football Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, an attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup. The plan was shelved amid widespread opposition at the start of August.
Why did Ceferin compare it to the Super League?
Ceferin described the plan as 'even worse than the Super League plan' and said 'We stopped another try to steal the sport', framing the opposition as protecting football, according to the Guardian.
Will Infantino face a challenge for the Fifa presidency?
Ceferin warned that Infantino will face an opponent if he seeks re-election next March, according to the Guardian. Uefa, backed by Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation, is pushing for Infantino to quit.