UEFA could withdraw its boycott of FIFA tournaments

UEFA would be ready to withdraw the threat to boycott FIFA competitionsafter having received precise guarantees that the plan to sell the shares of the World Cup rights will not be revived.

This is what the Guardian reports, according to which the European federation has obtained binding reassurances from FIFA on the fact that in the future a plan similar to the disputed Fifa ‘Forward Enterprise’ will not be presented.

The ‘Infantino case’

The story exploded in recent weeks after the initiative linked to the president was disclosed Gianni Infantinowhich envisaged the possible involvement of private investors in the capital linked to world competitions. The proposal was withdrawn by FIFA just four days after it became public, but UEFA maintained its position, asking for a guarantee that initiatives of this type would never be proposed again. After weeks of confidential discussion, the parties would therefore have reached a point of equilibrium. According to what was reconstructed by the Guardian, FIFA would have formalized its reassurances through private correspondence, committing itself not to again advance a project of privatization or transfer of shares of the World Cup on the model of the one initially hypothesized.

The future of the World Cup

The most immediate consequence concerns the Under 20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled in Poland starting from September 5th. European national teams should be allowed to participate regularly in the competition, thus avoiding the risk of a sensational boycott. The official announcement has not yet arrived, but the issue could be addressed as early as Thursday in Monte Carlo, where a meeting of the UEFA executive committee together with the leaders of the national federations. The 55 presidents of UEFA’s member associations will meet on the eve of the Champions League draw. The détente on the competition front, however, does not mean a retreat from UEFA on a political level. European football’s position towards Infantino remains unchanged: according to what was reported by the Guardian, the objective of replacing the FIFA president has not been set aside.

The FIGC withdraws support for Infantino

Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has decided to withdraw its support to the candidacy of Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency elections scheduled for March 2027. “This choice – we read in a note – intends to express in a clear and transparent way the position of the FIGC, in full agreement with UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin, with respect to the recent initiatives promoted by the president of FIFA regarding the governance and development of international competitions”. “We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote an idea of ​​football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the centrality of the fans – declares the president of the Football Federation Giovanni Malagò – We recognize ourselves in a model of discussion, listening and co-responsibility which has until now allowed football to grow, innovate and at the same time defend its founding principles.”