Full list of 55 countries boycotting the FIFA World Cup ahead of plans to sell off stakes

DOZENS of countries are set to boycott FIFA amid plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. UEFA has confirmed that its members will refuse to take part in future tournaments if sale proposals go ahead. All 55 UEFA nations are set to boycott future World Cup tournaments Credit: Getty England is backing the boycott in a bid to prevent controversial FIFA investment plans Credit: Getty The boycott is set to be backed by 55 countries in the Union of European Football Associations, including England. It would mean that some of the biggest football nations in the world would not compete in upcoming men’s and women’s World Cups. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Controversial plans have been laid out by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, to sell parts of the business and its commercial rights to private investors. The sales would mean that a separate company would be in charge of World Cup tournaments, although FIFA says it will keep control of how they are run. UEFA has hit back, saying that the “World Cup is not for sale”, vowing to duck out of future tournaments in a bid to see the plans scrapped. England, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Norway and Germany are among the nations backing the UEFA boycott. 55 UEFA nations boycotting FIFA The 55 UEFA member nations backing the FIFA boycott: Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Türkiye Ukraine Wales Infantino claims that the plans would “unleash the commercial potential and opportunity that FIFA has” if they go ahead. He also promised that all 211 FIFA member associations will be given $40million if they get back the plans. Most read in Sport A statement issued by UEFA makes their standpoint on Infantino’s move clear. “UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one,” the statement begins. “We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors. “The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent,” it continues. “No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.” Fifa have responded to the complaints and have shamelessly insisted that “nobody is selling football”. A statement said: “We respect the feedback and concern aired in public and reaffirm our commitment to an open and democratic consultation. “Our planned consultation process was disrupted by incorrect media reports. “We will proceed with this consultation process to ensure that each MA has the ability to express its vote based on facts. “FFE has been proposed solely to ensure that all Fifa Member Associations (MAs) have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of the commercial opportunity of football in their respective countries, and that this does not come at the cost of either the spirit or the governance of FIFA or football itself.” Comment now