UEFA and its 55 member associations have insisted on boycotting FIFA competitions, stating that the world football governing body has yet to meet their key conditions for regaining their trust and collaboration.
UEFA, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the withdrawal of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal to sell the commercial rights for the World Cup and its other competitions was not their only demand for restoring collaboration.
It read, “UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their 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“First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.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.
“UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.
“Yesterday’s (Wednesday) announcement that some people employed by the FIFA President (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing.”
The defiance by the European football governing body comes despite the apology and admission of a mistake by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as well as his subsequent backing by members at an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Morocco to remain in office following the withdrawal of the proposal and the controversy during the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
FIFA members at the meeting vowed to no longer tolerate any attacks on their integrity, good governance, and due process, while assuring that necessary measures would be adopted to protect and safeguard the organisation’s name and reputation.
UEFA’s resolve to boycott FIFA competitions will first be tested on September 5, 2026, when Poland is scheduled to host the FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup.
