Why Germany may stand up against FIFA's World Cup sell off

Published 30 July 2026 · sports

Leading figures in German football have lined up to criticize Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell a stake in the World Cup. Germany is showing signs

Leading figures in German football have lined up to criticize Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell a stake in the World Cup. Germany is showing signs that they may ready to oppose Infantino's re-election. "We must not let it become a pawn in the hands of investors. We must not lose the fans' support, but we are well on our way to squandering that support. I consider this extremely problematic and unacceptable." Those were the words of the head of Germany's football association, the DFB, in response to FIFA's plan to form a commercial subsidiary to sell to private investors. Bernd Neuendorf, the DFB president, is on the FIFA Council, which FIFA describes as its "main decision making body" but was blindsided by Tuesday's proposal. The Day with Brent Goff – Troop Boost for Russia To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Neuendorf said he "had to learn the news from the newspaper. That's no way to treat people." He said Infantino's method was "extremely troubling. When you sit on the committee, you want to be able to actively participate in decisions and express your opinion. That has to be a process, but none of that is happening at FIFA — not on important issues, and especially not now with the investor issue." Bundesliga clubs slam FIFA World Cup plan As well as widespread fan discontent, expressed via social media, leading German clubs have voiced their dissatisfaction with the plans.

"I am ashamed that we even discuss such ideas in football. Football does not belong to us," Bayern Munich's board member for sport Max Eberl told Sky. "I have the feeling that FIFA exists solely to make a profit. It disgusts me," he added. "Why does FIFA feel it needs to reinvent the wheel? In my view, this initiative is not a good idea at all," said Borussia Dortmund's CEO Carsten Cramer, while his equivalent at Stuttgart, Alexander Wehrle, lent his support to the DFB and European football governor UEFA's stance against the proposal. "Driving the commercialization of football in this direction without even a semblance of a common, sensible goal would send a disastrous message," he said. Earlier this year, Germany declined to sign a document recommending Infantino's re-election and Neuendorf was also critical of FIFA's suspension of a World Cup red-card ban for US striker Folarin Balogun following an intervention from US President Donald Trump. New Germany manager Jürgen Klopp, working as a TV pundit during the tournament, criticized that decision too. "Let's just say: this is our game, not theirs. These two people (Infantino and Trump), who both have no idea about football, should have nothing to do with that," he said. Germany and UEFA keen to make voice heard Despite falling behind on the pitch in recent times, Germany still holds plenty of sway in European football's governing body and will likely be a key voice when that organization meets, reportedly on Thursday.