UEFA Set to End FIFA Boycott Threat

UEFA is expected to withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that a controversial proposal to place World Cup commercial rights under private ownership will not return in another form.

European football officials are due to discuss the issue at a meeting of member associations in Monaco on Thursday, ahead of the Champions League draw. The expected move would bring an end to a dispute that had raised the prospect of European teams withdrawing from FIFA events.

The immediate concern for several national teams is the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, which begins on September 5. France, Spain, England, Italy, Portugal and hosts Poland are among the European sides scheduled to compete.

The dispute was triggered by plans associated with FIFA president Gianni Infantino to establish a $20 billion commercial subsidiary, reportedly known as FIFA Forward Enterprise. A private investment group based in New York was expected to take a 20% stake in the proposed entity, which would have controlled commercial assets including World Cup rights.

FIFA abandoned the proposal within days of its public disclosure, but that did not immediately satisfy UEFA. European officials wanted a commitment that the same plan would not return under a revised structure or a different name.

"UEFA then said it wanted assurances the spinoff, to be called FIFA Forward Enterprise, would not be presented in a different form. That assurance was now received," a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Infantino's Position Remains Under Pressure

While the boycott dispute appears close to resolution, relations between UEFA and Infantino remain unsettled. UEFA said on August 1 that it had no confidence in the FIFA president, while the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has since withdrawn its support for his re-election bid.

FIFA's presidential election is scheduled for next year, with candidates required to enter the race by November 18. The election itself will be held at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, four months later.

Attention can now turn back to the international calendar. After the Under-20 Women's World Cup, European teams will compete in the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying playoffs in October. European qualifying for the next men's World Cup is not due to begin until 2029.