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UEFA has threatened to pull all 55 of its member associations out of FIFA competitions, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, if FIFA proceeds with plans to open its tournaments to private investors.

The warning followed an emergency meeting of UEFA’s member associations on Thursday, where European football’s governing body unanimously rejected FIFA’s proposal to sell ownership interests in the World Cup and other global competitions. UEFA argued that the move would fundamentally change the nature of football and place commercial interests ahead of the game itself.

In a strongly worded statement, UEFA insisted that the FIFA World Cup is a global sporting legacy built over generations by players, national teams and supporters, and should never be treated as a commercial asset. According to the organisation, football’s biggest tournament is “not for sale” and must remain under the stewardship of the football community rather than private investors seeking financial returns.

UEFA also criticised the manner in which the proposal was introduced, accusing FIFA of developing the plan behind closed doors without meaningful consultation with national associations and other key stakeholders. The body described the process as a serious failure of leadership, arguing that decisions of such magnitude should not be made without broad engagement across the football world.

The European governing body further alleged that member associations had effectively been presented with an ultimatum — either accept the proposed ownership model or face the consequences. UEFA said such an approach undermines democratic governance and places undue pressure on football authorities to endorse a decision with far-reaching consequences.

According to UEFA, allowing external investors to acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions would permanently alter how the sport is governed. It warned that future decisions on the international calendar, tournament formats and the overall direction of the game could become increasingly influenced by shareholder expectations rather than what is best for football, its players, clubs, leagues and supporters.

Reaffirming Europe’s position, UEFA declared that it would not legitimise a model that places financial returns above the long-term interests of the sport. It maintained that no football authority has the moral right to sell competitions that belong to generations of fans and players.

As a result, UEFA announced that no European national team would participate in FIFA competitions for as long as the proposal remains active, unless it is completely withdrawn and FIFA provides binding guarantees that it will never again seek to introduce private ownership into its governance or competitions.

The statement concluded with a firm declaration that UEFA and its member associations would oppose the proposal with unwavering determination, insisting that some aspects of football are too important to be commercialised. It stressed that the FIFA World Cup belongs to the game and its global community, and vowed that Europe would continue to resist any attempt to put it up for sale.

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An entire youth football team from Ethiopia has reportedly disappeared in Sweden after taking part in the Gothia Cup, one of the world’s largest international youth football tournaments.

According to reports by Sweden Herald, about 20 members of the delegation including players aged between 14 and 17, as well as several adult supervisors left their hotel in Gothenburg without checking out and have not been seen since.

The Gothia Cup concluded about 10 days ago, but Swedish authorities say the group has neither been located nor returned to Ethiopia.

Officials have since launched a coordinated search involving the Swedish Migration Agency, border police, and authorities in other countries in an effort to trace the missing team members.

Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the group’s disappearance or whether they are believed to have left Sweden voluntarily.

The incident has drawn international attention as investigations continue to determine the whereabouts of the players and their supervisors. No further official information has been released regarding the case.

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Neymar Jr has formally retired from international duty with Brazil following their disappointing World Cup.

The 34-year-old is his nation’s record goalscorer with 80 goals in 130 caps and scored in a fourth World Cup with a penalty against Norway.

But he could not save Carlo Ancelotti’s side from an early exit and struggled for fitness throughout.

Back with Santos and back in the headlines, the former Barcelona forward has now confirmed he will not play in the famous yellow shirt again.

“My time with the national team is over. I made history, I was very happy, I gave my all, my life,” he said.

“I always fought and gave my best for this jersey, but I think I don’t want it anymore.”

Neymar made his Brazil debut in 2010, scoring on his debut against the USA. He was a star at the 2014 World Cup until he injured his back and without him Brazil were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-final.

He won the Confederations Cup in 2013 and was runner-up in the Copa America of 2021 but retires after being unable to guide Brazil to a major honour.

Neymar received criticism in the Brazilian press this week after he took part in a poker tournament while he was returning to full fitness following the World Cup.

The 34-year-old celebrated in his comeback match by pretending to deal poker cards, having explained at the time of the reports that he had trained with Santos and been given permission to pursue his pastime.

Former Al-Hilal, Paris-Saint-Germain and Barcelona playmaker Neymar now has six goals in this season’s Serie A, scoring his first club goals since May 10 on his first Santos appearance since May 17.