Recent developments in the dispute between UEFA and FIFA regarding plans for private financing of the World Cup cast a shadow over this season's Champions League draw. The European football governing body is reportedly set to abandon the threat of boycotting global competitions.
UEFA, whose clubs and national teams form the backbone of the global football economy, reacted sharply to information that emerged at the end of July that FIFA, under Gianni Infantino, was aiming to create a commercial subsidiary to host its major events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The proposed scheme would allow private investors to acquire stakes in a company established under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. UEFA, chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, criticized this proposal, calling it a 'secret, non-transparent deal behind closed doors.'
In a strong statement, the European governing body declared: 'No UEFA national team will participate in any FIFA competition while these proposals remain in force.' This statement is considered a key moment that led to the swift shelving of the controversial plan.
However, following a meeting of UEFA and European association leaders in Monaco on Thursday, shortly before the Champions League draw, sources told AFP that the threat to boycott FIFA tournaments would 'most likely' be withdrawn.
UEFA demanded the cancellation of this plan and also sought guarantees that such attempts to 'distort the game in this way' would never be made again. One source told AFP on Wednesday that they were satisfied that the second condition had been met.
The immediate consequence of this is that UEFA does not risk undermining its united front in demanding Infantino's resignation, which might have happened if not all its members supported the boycott.
Meanwhile, in men's football, attention is once again focused on the elite of club football after the North American World Cup. As the leading European leagues resume operations, the continent's elite will find out on Thursday who they will face in the group stage of this season's Champions League.
PSG aims for three consecutive victories
Paris Saint-Germain will begin its quest for a third consecutive title after retaining the European Cup at the end of last season, defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout final in Budapest. The Real Madrid team from 2016–2018 is the only team in the last 50 years to win the European Championship three years in a row. PSG coach Luis Enrique told reporters earlier this month: 'We won the last two, which means we can win the third. It will be very difficult, but that is our ambition.'
This season marks the third cycle since the introduction of the new Champions League format, where 36 teams merge into one large league, and each plays eight different opponents. Elite European club football is becoming increasingly polarized, and the wealthiest teams on the continent will once again play a significant role, receiving the majority of available funds.
Half of the participating clubs will represent the top national leagues of England, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The Premier League has five representatives, including Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, and Spain will also field five clubs, including Real Betis, who returns to the Champions League after two decades away.
The team Como, coached by former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas, will compete for the first time after shaking up the traditional order in Italy. There will also be a Champions League debut for the outsiders from Azerbaijan, Sabah, who advanced through the first qualifying round by winning four matches to reach this stage. Austria's LASK will also debut in the Champions League group stage after an impressive comeback, defeating Celtic in the playoffs.
The first round of matches this season will take place from Tuesday, September 8, to Thursday, September 10. The group stage will conclude at the end of January, and the final of this season will be held at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on June 5, 2027.