FIFA crisis: UEFA maintains its World Cup boycott

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has confirmed that its boycott of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, continues despite FIFA's withdrawal of a controversial plan to involve external private investors. UEFA stated that its member associations remain firm on the conditions for ending their non-participation in FIFA events.

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The UEFA member federations have been very clear about the conditions linked to their non-participation in FIFA competitions.

In a declaration sent to AFP, UEFA emphasized that beyond the retraction of the investor plan, which was a key demand, they require "guarantees that such attempts to disfigure football in this way can never happen again." The confederation explicitly stated that "these conditions have not been met," leading to a continued "loss of confidence in the presidency of Gianni Infantino."

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that such attempts to disfigure football in this way can never happen again.

FIFA had previously acknowledged "errors" and offered "apologies" regarding its aborted plan to create a commercial entity open to external investors. The world football governing body reaffirmed its "full support" for President Infantino, who is the sole candidate for re-election in March 2027. However, UEFA dismissed FIFA's statement as coming from "people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on their favors), affirming that they agree with him, changes nothing."

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These conditions have not been met.

The UEFA boycott was a significant response to Infantino's surprise announcement of the investor plan, which faced widespread rejection, particularly from UEFA and CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean). While the African Football Confederation (CAF) is expected to reaffirm its support for Infantino at an executive committee meeting, UEFA's stance highlights a deep rift within international football governance.

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The statement yesterday (from FIFA), coming from some people employed by the FIFA president (and whose careers depend on their favors), affirming that they agree with him, changes nothing.