European clubs threaten to boycott future Club World Cups over FIFA scheme
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
Last updated Aug 14, 2026

European Football Clubs (EFC) issued an ultimatum, signaling they would not participate in future Club World Cups unless FIFA President Gianni Infantino withdrew his Forward Enterprise scheme. This warning was communicated in a letter to FIFA's secretary general, Mattias Grafström, just hours before the plan was scrapped. EFC emphasized that their cooperation with upcoming tournaments relies on establishing a joint venture with FIFA, with a framework already agreed upon. This agreement must be completed prior to the sale of television rights for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup.
- •EFC threatens boycott of future Club World Cups over FIFA plans.
- •Ultimatum issued before the FIFA scheme was scrapped.
- •EFC demands a joint venture with FIFA for future collaboration.
- •Television rights for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup are at stake.
- 6:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — Europe’s top clubs threatened Club World Cup boycott before Fifa plan collapsed
"Ultimatum issued hours before plan was scrapped European Football Clubs demanded Infantino back down Europe’s leading clubs threatened not to participate in future Club World Cups unless Gianni Infantino withdrew his Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, issuing their ultimatum hours before the plan was scrapped. In a letter to the Fifa secretary general, Mattias Grafström, seen by the Guardian, the influential European Football Clubs (EFC) group warned its cooperation with future tournaments would hinge on Infantino backing down. It said the threat will hold unless a joint venture between EFC and Fifa – a framework for which has already been agreed – is completed before television rights can be sold for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup. Continue reading...
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