UEFA is preparing to withdraw its threatened boycott of FIFA competitions after the global governing body scaled back contentious governance proposals that had drawn broad opposition from European federations.
The shift follows months of tension between UEFA and FIFA, particularly after details of FIFA’s governance plan leaked in mid-2026, prompting 55 of UEFA’s member federations to signal a potential boycott. The proposal, which sought to centralize control over international competitions, was abandoned by FIFA in July, easing pressure on the organization ahead of key meetings.
Italy’s football federation, FIGC, has also withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term, aligning with UEFA’s position. The decision was framed as a move to protect the interests of young athletes, particularly as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland approaches next month. An anonymous source close to the discussions stated that the move was not a defeat for UEFA but a pragmatic step to avoid harming athletes’ opportunities.
UEFA leaders are scheduled to brief the executive committee and federation presidents at a meeting in Monaco on Thursday, where the withdrawal of the boycott threat is expected to be formalized. The decision comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election next March, where Infantino’s re-election remains a contentious issue among European stakeholders.
FIFA spokesperson reiterated the organization’s commitment to dialogue and global football development, emphasizing that all qualified teams will participate in the upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup. The statement underscored FIFA’s belief in football’s unifying power, even amid governance disputes.
The developments follow a February 2026 photo with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and Infantino at the 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Brussels, which now appears to mark a turning point in relations between the two bodies.
