Hoeness: Infantino risks European backlash over World Cup commercial plans

Uli Hoeness has launched a fierce attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, insisting European football is powerful enough to block any future World Cup reforms it does not support and warning that tournaments without Europe would be “worth nothing”.

The Bayern Munich honorary president was speaking amid growing opposition on the continent to Infantino’s latest proposals for FIFA competitions, particularly a project to sell a stake in the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors.

Speaking to German outlet Sport1 on Thursday, Hoeness questioned whether Europe had fully grasped the strength of its position in the global game.

“Personally, I believe that the Europeans do not realise how strong they really are. Any tournament without Europe is worth nothing,” he said.

Europe urged to unite against FIFA proposals

Hoeness argued that a coordinated response from Europe could prevent Infantino from pushing through controversial reforms.

“If Europe unites and acts in harmony, Mr Infantino will not be able to push this plan through,” he added.

His remarks reflect mounting unease within European football over the idea of selling a share of World Cup commercial rights to external investors, a move critics fear would undermine the independence of the competition and turn it primarily into a financial asset.

The proposal has triggered a wave of criticism from within Europe, with calls to protect the autonomy and sporting integrity of FIFA’s flagship tournament and to resist any move perceived as placing commercial interests above the game itself.

Hoeness mocks prospect of diminished World Cup

Hoeness rounded off his comments with a pointed jibe at Infantino’s vision for the future of the World Cup, suggesting that sidelining Europe would leave the tournament with limited appeal.

With heavy sarcasm, he said: “If (Infantino) wants to watch Fiji against Cape Verde in the World Cup… let him.”

The former Bayern Munich president’s intervention underlines the hardening stance among influential European figures over FIFA’s direction, even though he did not elaborate further on specific alternative proposals.

Hoeness’s comments come at a time when debates over the structure, frequency and commercial exploitation of FIFA competitions remain highly sensitive issues, particularly in Europe, where leading clubs and associations have repeatedly voiced concern about overloading the calendar and diluting the value of established tournaments.

While Infantino has previously argued that reforms are necessary to secure new investment and expand opportunities across world football, figures such as Hoeness are making clear that any attempt to reshape the World Cup without broad European backing is likely to face significant resistance.