European football's governing body, UEFA, is reportedly preparing to abandon its threatened boycott of FIFA competitions, following private assurances that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's contentious private investment scheme will not be resurrected. The move is expected to be discussed at a meeting of UEFA's 55 member associations on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press on Wednesday.
Euronews has contacted UEFA for comment, but the organisation has not yet issued a public statement.
In late July, UEFA announced that its member associations would refuse to participate in any FIFA competitions as long as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal remained on the table. That plan, now scrapped, would have allowed third-party investors to acquire stakes in a new subsidiary managing FIFA's commercial and event operations, including the World Cup.
Earlier this month, UEFA welcomed FIFA's decision to withdraw the proposal, but insisted that the conditions for lifting the boycott had not yet been met. In a statement released in early August, UEFA said: “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions. First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again. These conditions have not been met.”
If UEFA now formally ends its boycott threat, it would clear the way for six European teams—Poland, England, France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy—to take part in next month's under-20s Women's World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Poland. The tournament is a key test for the sport's global calendar, and European participation is seen as vital to its credibility.
Football's deepening split
The decision comes as Italy and Romania have become the latest nations to withdraw their support for Infantino's re-election at FIFA's 2027 presidential elections. In a statement on Wednesday, Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian Football Federation, said: “We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the central role of the fans.”
Malagò added: “We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”
Răzvan Burleanu, head of the Romanian Football Federation, echoed those sentiments, stating: “FIFA needs a new leader today who can foster consensus and unity, inspire confidence, and has the ability to bring us all together, rather than driving a wedge between us and others.”
Infantino still retains support from several key quarters, including Argentina, Mexico, and six Arab football associations. US President Donald Trump also voiced his backing for the beleaguered FIFA chief in August, posting on Truth Social that the world governing body “would be making a terrible mistake” if it parted ways with Infantino.
The rift between UEFA and FIFA has been widening for months, with European federations increasingly frustrated by what they see as a lack of transparency and a tendency toward centralised control in Zurich. The FFE proposal, in particular, was viewed by many European officials as a threat to the traditional structure of the sport, which relies on solidarity payments and competitive balance.
Should UEFA confirm the cancellation of its boycott, it would mark a significant de-escalation in the conflict, though underlying tensions are likely to persist. The European body has been pushing for a more inclusive governance model, and its member associations have made clear they will continue to advocate for reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
The under-20s Women's World Cup in Poland will now likely proceed with full European participation, a relief for organisers and fans alike. The tournament is seen as a crucial platform for young talent, and its success is important for the growth of women's football across the continent.
