Europe’s soccer governing body will drop its threat to boycott FIFA competitions before next month’s U-20 Women’s World Cup, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The 55 UEFA member federations are meeting on Thursday in Monaco and are expected to formally withdraw the threat, per the reports.
UEFA is setting aside its boycott plans after reportedly receiving assurances that FIFA president Gianni Infantino will not revive his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
The U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to begin on Sept. 5 in Poland, would have been the first FIFA-sanctioned event caught in the crossfire following the backlash to Infantino’s proposal.
UEFA members are continuing their push for Infantino to step down from the position he has held since 2016.
On Wednesday, the football federations of Italy (FIGC) and Romania (FRF) joined the list of nations that have withdrawn support for Infantino. The next election is scheduled for March 18, 2027.
“We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of soccer based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the centrality of fans,” FIGC president Giovanni Malago said.
“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening, and shared responsibility that has, until now, allowed soccer to grow, innovate and at the same time defend its founding principles.”
FRF president Razvan Burleanu said FIFA needs “a new leader who can produce consensus and unity, inspire trust and who has the ability to bring us all together.”
–Field Level Media
