FIFA accuses UEFA of smear campaign in US courts over World Cup rights

Legal confrontation in American courts

World soccer governing body FIFA filed motions in United States federal courts to block discovery requests submitted by European counterpart UEFA. The legal action follows UEFA's application to obtain internal documents, communications, and sworn testimony from American entities regarding the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise venture. UEFA submitted four separate subpoena requests across three US states at the end of August 2026, including an ex parte filing in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. European officials stated they intend to use the subpoenaed material to support potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for alleged criminal mismanagement. In a motion to intervene filed on 1 September 2026 by subsidiaries FIFA Americas Inc. and FWC2026 US Inc., attorney H Christopher Boehning asked the New York court to defer any ruling and allow FIFA to formally oppose the requests by 30 September 2026.

While these applications are styled as legal pleadings with captions and docket numbers, they are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA's smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.

Scrapped private investment vehicle

The legal dispute centers on the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project, which sought to transfer commercial and event operations for the men's and women's World Cups into a dedicated commercial company. Under the terms of the proposal, private investment firm Thrive Capital, overseen by Joshua Kushner, would have acquired a 20% stake in the entity through an investment vehicle named Thrive Eternal for $4.2 billion, with additional advisory participation from JP Morgan. UEFA attacked the valuation as an off-market price negotiated without an open auction or adequate consultation among FIFA's 211 member associations. In response to the initial proposal, all 55 member nations of UEFA met in an emergency session in late July 2026 and threatened a total boycott of future FIFA competitions. Facing unified opposition from regional governing bodies, FIFA withdrew the investment plan on 31 July 2026, prompting UEFA to lift its proposed tournament boycott.

Jurisdictional disputes and commercial rivalries

In its 1 September 2026 filing, FIFA asserted that UEFA has no legal standing to seek discovery in the United States because no active criminal case exists in Switzerland. FIFA's legal team argued that UEFA bypassed Swiss judicial authorities by applying directly to American courts and suffered no direct financial loss from a proposal that was never implemented. The governing body contended that forced disclosure would breach confidentiality obligations and expose proprietary business records involving Infantino and external advisors. FIFA also claimed that European opposition was economically motivated to preserve the dominance of European club competitions and international tournaments over developing markets. To support its argument, FIFA cited Cameroon football federation president Samuel Eto'o, arguing that increased funding for smaller member associations would allow more players to remain in their domestic leagues rather than moving to European teams.

Political pressure ahead of presidential vote

The court filings coincide with deteriorating political backing for Infantino as he prepares for a potential fourth presidential term in March 2027. Resistance to Infantino's administration has consolidated across three continental bodies, with UEFA joined by the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF in discussing a potential vote of no confidence. Several national football federations have also retracted their official endorsements of his candidacy following the commercial venture. While an earlier objection filed by FIFA in the Southern District of Florida was granted by a judge the following day, the New York court must now determine whether European soccer officials can compel disclosures from American financial partners before the end of September 2026.