FIFA Fights Back Against UEFA 'Smear Campaign' Over Blocked World Cup Investor Plan

FIFA President Gianni Infantino joins French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris (Teresa Suarez/Reuters).

FIFA has strongly accused UEFA of orchestrating a “smear campaign” and a “fishing expedition.” This comes after European football’s governing body petitioned United States judges to compel FIFA to release documents connected to its aborted World Cup investor plan.

The controversial global football initiative, introduced in July to sell World Cup stakes to investors, sparked massive backlash across the sport. UEFA went as far as threatening a World Cup boycott unless the proposal was completely scrapped. FIFA quickly withdrew the plans due to the heavy criticism, but UEFA is now preparing potential legal action against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, alleging “criminal mismanagement.”

Last week, UEFA submitted requests across three US states to secure document disclosures from FIFA and its partners. This includes prospective lead investor Joshua Kushner’s firm, Thrive Capital. Should UEFA successfully obtain these documents, it plans to initiate a formal legal complaint in Switzerland, having received assurances that the case would qualify for a Swiss court.

In response, FIFA has petitioned US judges for permission to officially contest UEFA's document requests. In its court filings, FIFA stated: “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.”

FIFA's legal filings argue that UEFA lacks the legal right to demand internal FIFA documents because no active criminal proceedings currently exist in Switzerland or anywhere else. Furthermore, FIFA contends that even if such proceedings were underway, UEFA would lack legal standing since it has suffered no financial losses. The organization also accused UEFA of unlawfully bypassing Swiss courts by filing directly in the United States. According to the filings, releasing these documents—which include correspondence involving Gianni Infantino and other named FIFA personnel and advisors—would directly threaten FIFA's interests by exposing sensitive, proprietary information.

UEFA has made no secret of its ambition to oust Gianni Infantino, who had previously hoped to secure re-election unopposed for a fourth and final term next March following a highly successful World Cup. Although UEFA has been the most vocal critic, labeling the proposal a “shady, opaque backroom deal,” it has also gained solid backing from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely regarded as the most likely challenger to Gianni Infantino, particularly after UEFA’s Aleksander Ceferin ruled himself out. Maintaining intense pressure, the three confederations united to issue a blunt joint letter on August 10.

“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding – or demanding – power to be held,” the letter stated. UEFA further added: “FIFA must once again be governed as an institution serving football – not operate as an instrument of individual power.”

FIFA has consistently rejected these accusations, concluding in its court filings: “This application is yet another step in UEFA’s smear campaign against FIFA and its leadership.”