A damning report has exposed a NEW FIFA scandal that Gianni Infantino must contend with after having already been forced to make a U-turn on his plans to sell World Cup stakes this week. The 2029 Club World Cup could now be SCRAPPED – and England and 55 UEFA nations are threatening to WITHDRAW from FIFA competitions altogether.
A damning report has exposed a new FIFA scandal that Gianni Infantino must contend with after having already been forced to make a U-turn on his plans to sell World Cup stakes this week. The football world is in crisis. Infantino’s leadership is crumbling. And England and 55 UEFA nations are now threatening to withdraw from FIFA competitions altogether.
The scandal centres on the 2025 expansion of the Club World Cup, which Chelsea won last summer in the USA. The tournament was the ultimate brainchild of Infantino’s. However, anger continues to materialise as some of the prize money promised to clubs hasn’t been paid out, according to the Daily Express.
The funds earned by competing clubs is said to have been paid, but £185m of the £740 million DAZN and Saudi PIF paid for the broadcast rights, which were set aside for solidarity payments to clubs that did not compete in the 2025 tournament, remains unpaid. The original plan was for £50,000 to be given to every top-flight club in the world, but there is no sign of the payments being made.
THE DAMNING REPORT
The report exposes a scandal that threatens to drag Infantino’s leadership into the gutters. It comes just days after the FIFA president was forced to abandon his controversial £15bn plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Infantino had offered each of FIFA’s 211 member associations the chance to make £15 million ($20 million) instantly if they voted through his plans. A further £50 million ($66 million) would be given to each association before 2038. The backlash was immediate and ferocious. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin urged European nations to withdraw their support for Infantino. CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and the AFC joined the chorus of criticism.
Now, this new scandal has emerged. £185m of promised money has not been paid. And the 2029 Club World Cup could be scrapped as a result.
THE CLUB WORLD CUP CRISIS
The 2029 Club World Cup still doesn’t have a host. Nothing has been agreed between FIFA and leading European clubs on participation in a future tournament. A number of nations have expressed an interest in registering a bid for the competition, which switched to a four-year format just last year.
Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, and England have all hinted at hosting the competition. However, there is a belief that the most likely hosts will be either Qatar, or the United States, with FIFA reportedly considering giving it to the former as a bid to continue the growth of the sport in the North American nation.
But the tournament is already controversial. It could be scrapped – especially if either Infantino’s potential successor has different plans, or the payments for the latest tournament continue to go amiss.
ENGLAND’S ROLE
The FA have been at the forefront of the European rebellion. In a furious statement, the English governing body called for a major investigation into Infantino’s leadership. England, along with 55 UEFA nations, have threatened to withdraw from FIFA competitions if Infantino’s plans are revived.
The FA said they were “deeply concerned” about FIFA’s proposals and slammed the “lack of process and governance”. Former FA chairman David Bernstein said the plan “stinks” and England must “have the guts” to boycott. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared Infantino is the “wrong man” to lead FIFA.
WHAT THE FANS DON’T KNOW
The FA have already prepared a formal letter to FIFA, threatening to pull England out of the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the 2029 Club World Cup, and all future FIFA competitions if Infantino remains in power. Sources close to Wembley have revealed that the FA are prepared to lead a mass European exodus from FIFA.
The letter reportedly warns that England will not participate in any FIFA competition until Infantino resigns. The FA are also urging other UEFA nations to follow suit. A mass European withdrawal would leave FIFA tournaments without England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands – nations that have won every World Cup but one since 2006.
THE REACTION
England fans are FURIOUS. One supporter said: “Infantino is destroying football. England should walk away and never look back.” Another added: “A damning report? Of course it is. FIFA is corrupt to its core.” A third fan wrote: “£185m unpaid? This is the biggest scandal in football history.”
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2029 Club World Cup could be SCRAPPED if FIFA cannot reach an agreement with European clubs and associations. A Europe-wide withdrawal would leave FIFA tournaments without their biggest draws.
The Club World Cup could be scrapped entirely. England could withdraw from FIFA competitions. And Infantino’s reign could come to an end.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A damning report has exposed a new FIFA scandal. £185m of promised money has not been paid. The Club World Cup could be scrapped. England and 55 nations are threatening to withdraw. Infantino’s leadership is crumbling. And the future of FIFA competitions hangs in the balance.
