The people\u2019s game is facing a civil war.<\/p>\n
Football \u2013 so often also dubbed \u2018the beautiful game\u2019 \u2013 is on the verge of an ugly standoff that threatens an established order that has stood since FIFA\u2019s governance of the game began in 1904.<\/p>\n
Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n
FIFA\u2019s proposal, fronted by its President Gianni Infantino, to sell stakes in the World Cup and other events to private investors has been met with a furious backlash worldwide.<\/p>\n
The plan was only revealed on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
In the days that have followed, the sport has made headlines around the world and faced a split in the game with boycotts threatened.<\/p>\n
Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at where and how football has gone from a celebration of World Cup glory for Spain to a divide that has provoked fierce words from the continental governing bodies, politicians and a resigning FIFA adviser alike.<\/p>\n
What are FIFA\u2019s proposals for its World Cup and events?<\/p>\n
FIFA has staged World Cups every four years since 1930, breaking only for World War Two.<\/p>\n
The tournament has expanded from 13 teams competing at the inaugural event to a record 48 that lined up at World Cup 2026. That number could swell to 64 for the 2030 edition.<\/p>\n
That in itself has drawn debate, but on Tuesday Infantino revealed a proposal<\/a> to sell minority stakes in the World Cup, along with other events such as the FIFA Club World Cup, to private investors.<\/p>\n The plan would centre around an investment firm attracting private funding.<\/p>\n The expectation is that Joshua Kushner, the founder of Thrive Capital, would lead the proposed investor group via a fund called Thrive Eternal. Joshua is the brother of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Infantino \u200c\u200chas given the organisation\u2019s 211-member federations until \u2060\u2060September 19 \u2060\u2060to support the private investment proposal.<\/p>\n Why have UEFA voted to boycott FIFA events over its World Cup plan?<\/p>\n The response to FIFA\u2019s plans has been damning.<\/p>\n European football\u2019s governing body, UEFA, voted on Thursday<\/a> to boycott FIFA \u2013 and with it future World Cups \u2013 unless all plans to seek private investment for minority stakes in the governing body\u2019s events were dropped immediately.<\/p>\n UEFA is made up of 55 nations and its vote was unanimous.<\/p>\n The organisation based in Switzerland, which is also home to FIFA, cited its concern that it was \u201cirresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe World Cup cannot \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060be treated as an investment \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060product. It is one of football\u2019s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and \u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200csupporters across every continent.<\/p>\n \u201cNo part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. \u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200cThe \u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200c\u200cWorld Cup is not for sale,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Will CONCACAF also boycott FIFA over World Cup plans?<\/p>\n CONCACAF, the regional bloc for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also rejected FIFA\u2019s \u2060\u2060proposal during \u2060\u2060a meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n It stopped short, however, of following UEFA\u2019s plan to boycott World Cups.<\/p>\n CONCACAF, made up of 41 member associations, expressed \u201cdeep concerns\u201d about the lack of due process surrounding \u200c\u200cthe proposal, the short deadline and absence of any review or approval by relevant FIFA governance bodies.<\/p>\n \u201cThe discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance,\u201d it said in a media release. \u201cFor these reasons, CONCACAF and its \u2060\u206041 Member Associations have: Rejected \u2060\u2060the proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n What is Asia\u2019s stance on FIFA\u2019s plans?<\/p>\n The Asian Football Confederation has also spoken out strongly against FIFA\u2019s plans and have backed the stances<\/a> taken by UEFA and CONCACAF, but they too have stopped short of voting to boycott events staged by the governing body.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone \u200c\u200cwho cares about the future of our game,\u201d the AFC said in a statement on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball should never have been placed in such a position.\u201d<\/p>\n Has FIFA received any support for the World Cup plan?<\/p>\n The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has said it would study the proposal before deciding its \u2060\u2060position.<\/p>\n The FMF said FIFA had informed it of the proposal on July 28 and would provide member associations with \u2060\u2060additional information and documentation through a series of round tables before \u2060\u2060a decision is made.<\/p>\n \u201cThe FMF will \u2060\u2060complete this process of study and analysis in order to take the decision that best serves the development of Mexican football,\u201d \u200c\u200cthe federation added in a statement, without saying whether it supported CONCACAF\u2019s decision to reject the \u200c\u200cproposal.<\/p>\n FIFA still await any footballing organisation to come out in support of its proposals.<\/p>\n Who has still to vote on FIFA\u2019s plans?<\/p>\n The remaining continental governing bodies that have still to make their positions clear are the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).<\/p>\n It is not known whether they have set a date for a vote among their members on FIFA\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n What is the latest from FIFA on their World Cup proposal?<\/p>\n