Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifiers Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C match at Hampden Park, Glasgow UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xFredxPalmerx FIL-22351-0159
Scotland is set to join a Europe-wide boycott of the next World Cup as opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s financial proposals reaches a boiling point.
The Scottish Football Association has aligned itself firmly with UEFA and 54 other European nations in a coordinated pushback against Infantino’s plans.
At the centre of the dispute is a proposal to sell off a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to a private investment group with reported family links to Donald Trump.
Infantino’s plan, described by critics as a multi-billion dollar deal, has triggered fierce resistance from across the European football community.
SFA president Ian Maxwell and chief executive Mike Mulraney were called to attend an emergency summit of all 55 UEFA nations held remotely on Thursday afternoon.
The crisis talks brought the continent together in unified opposition to what has widely been characterised as a power grab by FIFA’s leadership.
Maxwell and Mulraney used the moment to issue a pointed reminder about the origins of the sport at the heart of this bitter dispute.
In a formal statement released from Hampden, the SFA declared its unequivocal support for the concerns raised by European football’s governing body.
The SFA’s statement read: “The Scottish FA Board agrees unequivocally with the concerns raised by all members over the manner in which these proposals have been issued, and deadline set, without a full consultation process or consideration to good governance.”
The statement also stressed the cultural weight behind Scotland’s position, adding that the SFA is “aligned with our fellow national associations who seek to ensure our collective voice is heard resoundingly, and that the Corinthian spirit which underpins the beautiful game – invented here in Scotland and shared with the world – is protected.”
The SFA confirmed it is “fully supportive of the statement issued by UEFA following the meeting,” cementing Scotland’s place in the growing bloc of dissenting nations.
European football associations have been particularly angered by the tight deadline imposed by FIFA, which critics argue bypassed proper consultation and governance procedures entirely.
The proposal to bring private investment into the World Cup structure has raised fundamental questions about the long-term direction and integrity of international football’s flagship tournament.
With 55 UEFA nations now presenting a unified front, the pressure on Infantino to reconsider his approach is intensifying rapidly ahead of any formal vote.
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