World Cup: UEFA hit out at FIFA and Gianni Infantino amid plans to sell minority stakes linked to competition

A major row has broken out between football's governing bodies over FIFA's plans to seek private investment in the World Cup, with UEFA reacting angrily and European nations ready to discuss a potential boycott.

FIFA announced on Tuesday that it was seeking to launch FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would bring together the sale of FIFA's commercial rights - including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing - with the operational delivery of its tournaments.

Under the proposal, FIFA would raise up to $4.2bn (£3.1bn) from external investors through the sale of minority, non-controlling stakes in FFE, which it says would be valued at around $20bn (£15bn).

The governing body says its plans - which need approval from member associations - could deliver more than $10bn in "football development funding" over the next four years.

But UEFA, European football's governing body, released a furious statement that said the proposals "crossed a line".