Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

For Uefa, the situation is complex.

While the confederation only accounts for a quarter of Fifa's 211-country membership, it does include most of the world's most successful teams.

Six of the eight quarter-finalists - including winners Spain - at this summer's World Cup were European. In the 2022 and 2018 editions, the figures were five and six respectively.

Uefa knows any competition Fifa puts together would be far less valuable if its members were not involved.

Fifa's argument that it is compelled to look at proposals that would help it grow the game globally has led to fears about expansion at a time when proposals for a 64-team World Cup in 2030, which will be hosted by six countries in three confederations, are gathering pace.

That would have huge implications for the football calendar, which is already squeezed, partly because of the expansion of European club competitions.

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Image source, Getty Images

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has already expressed his desire to push through a 64-team World Cup.

Infantino said the success of the expanded 48-team tournament means Fifa should look at how a 64-team World Cup could work.

"These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup," Infantino told Swiss broadcaster Blue Sport, when asked if the tournament could grow to 64 teams.

"When organising a World Cup, it's important to organise it for the whole world - not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.

"You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high, and it's getting higher and higher, all over the world. If you don't give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they'll lack the incentive to keep improving."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

European football's governing body took the remarkable step of issuing a response to Fifa's plans before they had been published on Tuesday, responding to reports in the Financial Times and the Times as it condemned the plans, saying they had "crossed a line".

The meeting will be held virtually and offer the opportunity to work out a plan of action.

Given the strength of feeling, it would be a surprise if the possibility of a boycott was not at least raised.

Uefa is not the only organisation unhappy with the situation.

Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and hosted this summer's World Cup, is also concerned at the turn of events.

"We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process," the organisation said in its own statement.

"We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

"As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, Fifa, the confederations and every member association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Football Association says it is "deeply concerned" about Fifa's plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, with Uefa's 55 members nations set to hold an emergency meeting later this week amid growing anger at the proposals.

Football's world governing body has said it wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.

This has prompted fears that too much influence in those competitions will be handed to private investors, which could lead to massive expansion of the men's and women's World Cup and Club World Cup.

It is now becoming apparent senior figures within the game – including at least two of the eight Fifa vice-presidents – were not consulted about the plans, released on Tuesday after reports initially appeared in the Financial Times and The Times.

An FA spokeswoman said: "We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached.

"Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

"When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear and comment further."

Fifa unveiled controversial plans on Tuesday to sell stakes in its major competitions - which includes the World Cup.

The English Football Association has since said it is "deeply concerned" by the proposals, while Uefa and its 55 member nations will hold an emergency meeting later this week to discuss the plans.

There's plenty to unpick with this one, so join us as we run you through the latest.