National association representatives on the UEFA Executive Committee, European FIFA Council and presidents of UEFA's member associations issued a strongly worded statement after meeting in Monaco during the 2026/27 UEFA club competition draws. The gathering focused on the FIFA crisis triggered by the FIFA President's aborted attempt to sell an interest in the World Cup to outside investors through the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) project.
Delegates described the scheme as exposing “a profound failure of judgement, an abuse of presidential power and a conception of leadership incompatible with the duties of the highest office in world football.”
FIFA confirms permanent withdrawal of Forward Enterprise project
FIFA has now confirmed in writing to EUFA that the project has been “irrevocably and permanently withdrawn” and “will not re-appear in any other shape, construction, name or form.”
Having secured the two assurances it required from FIFA on 30 July, and after consulting its national associations, UEFA has agreed to suspend on a provisional basis the planned withdrawal of European teams from FIFA competitions in the coming season. This includes the Women's U20 World Cup, the U17 World Cup and the Women's U17 World Cup. The position remains under constant review and can be reconsidered immediately if circumstances change. While the immediate issue of participation has been resolved, the statement makes clear that “the underlying crisis has not.”
Mandate for independent review and institutional reform
Those present unanimously mandated the UEFA President and Administration to pursue every available institutional, political and legal avenue to secure fundamental reform, restore proper limits on presidential authority, and ensure FIFA is governed as an institution rather than around one individual.
The first required step is a genuinely independent external review of FIFA Forward Enterprise with full access to all relevant documents, communications and decision-making records. “FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community simply to accept its conclusions,” the statement said.
Broken trust requires new leadership
The consequences extend beyond governance. Trust in the office of FIFA President “has been broken and cannot be restored by withdrawing one proposal, issuing assurances or promising reform after the event. World football now needs new leadership capable of rebuilding that trust.”
Shaping FIFA's future and exploring alternatives
UEFA will continue working with other confederations, member associations and the wider football community – including fans, players, clubs and leagues – to shape FIFA's future. Should the current FIFA President seek another mandate, UEFA intends to join forces with partner confederations to ensure member associations are offered a credible alternative committed to integrity, accountability, development and genuine institutional change.
FIFA reserves belong to member associations
The statement also highlighted FIFA's substantial financial reserves, which “belong to the Member Associations.” Together with other confederations, UEFA will explore a responsible release of part of those reserves for the benefit of the associations while preserving FIFA's financial stability. This raises the question of why the FIFA President believed outside investors were needed to expand development funding.
Core principles reaffirmed
Abandoning FFE “does not erase the deception, intimidation and abuse of power that made it possible. Nor does it restore the confidence that has been lost.” The issue is not a choice between good governance and football development, nor an attempt by Europe to gain greater power within FIFA. It is about ensuring that no part of world football – large or small – is dependent on the power of one individual.
Development is an institutional obligation, not a presidential favour, and no member association should have to choose between the resources to which it is entitled and the freedom to exercise its own judgement.
UEFA's position remains unequivocal: FIFA's competitions, whether the World Cup or an Under-15 tournament, are not for sale. Neither is the governance of the game. Development resources must never become instruments of personal or political influence; they belong to world football and must be protected by transparent, objective rules. FIFA must once again be governed as an institution serving football, not as an instrumental of individual power.