European football officials have already drafted plans that could serve as the foundation for launching their own version of the World Cup, following UEFA’s announcement that its member nations will boycott FIFA tournaments. This decision comes in response to Gianni Infantino’s intention to sell stakes in FIFA’s premier competitions to private investors, according to Sky News.
UEFA had previously developed a format called the Global Nations League, which envisioned final tournaments featuring eight teams after regional qualifying rounds. These plans date back to 2017, shortly after Gianni Infantino left UEFA to take charge of FIFA, but they were never implemented.
The concept involved not just one final tournament but seven separate ones, each consisting of eight teams divided into divisions based on rankings. These were designed as mini World Cups held in various countries, starting from the quarterfinal stage.
The Nations League format that UEFA eventually introduced in 2018, featuring a final tournament with four European national teams, was intended to serve as a qualifying phase for European sides. The idea was for each of the main Global Nations Leagues to include three European teams, two from South America, and one each from Africa, Asia, and North America. The weakest confederation, Oceania, would only be represented in the fourth-tier final tournament.
These plans never came to fruition as Gianni Infantino focused on launching a significantly expanded Club World Cup.
Now, the future of the World Cup itself is in jeopardy after UEFA members decided to abstain from all FIFA tournaments while Infantino pursues selling shares of rights to his key competitions to private investors.
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