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Women's U-20 World Cup on schedule despite FIFA governance dispute

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Poland confirmed preparations for the U-20 Women's World Cup are on schedule, despite a governance dispute within FIFA.
  • The tournament will be the first FIFA event held amid backlash against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
  • Several nations, including New Zealand and France, have confirmed their participation.

Preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, scheduled to begin in Poland on September 5, are proceeding as planned, according to the Polish Football Association (PZPN). The tournament is set to be the first FIFA competition held amidst significant controversy surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposed and subsequently abandoned plan to sell commercial rights to the World Cup.

Preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup are progressing according to the agreed schedule and have now entered their final stage.

— Polish Football Association (PZPN)Statement confirming the tournament's readiness despite FIFA's internal disputes.

The PZPN stated that they have received no information regarding any participating team's withdrawal and expressed confidence that the current situation will be resolved swiftly. "For many of these young players, this tournament represents an important milestone in their sporting careers, and we remain fully focused on delivering an event worthy of their talent and commitment," the federation said in a statement to Reuters.

New Zealand and France have confirmed their intention to compete in the 24-team tournament, which runs until September 27. A spokesperson for New Zealand Football emphasized the tournament's importance for the development of the women's game. While England's FA and Canada Soccer offered no comment, the U.S. is also expected to participate.

For many of these young players, this tournament represents an important milestone in their sporting careers, and we remain fully focused on delivering an event worthy of their talent and commitment.

— Polish Football Association (PZPN)Emphasizing the significance of the tournament for the participating athletes.

The controversy stems from Infantino's plan to sell 20% of the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors, a move that prompted UEFA's 55 member associations to unanimously support a boycott of FIFA events. European football's governing body, UEFA, reiterated its stance, highlighting the conditions attached to non-participation in FIFA competitions.

The tournament is critical in the development for the women’s game.

— New Zealand Football spokespersonHighlighting the importance of the U-20 Women's World Cup for advancing women's football.

FIFA's Under-17 Women's World Cup is scheduled for October in Morocco, and European nations are also engaged in qualifying matches for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. The ongoing governance dispute casts a shadow over these upcoming events.

UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions.

— UEFAReiterating the European football federation's position amidst the FIFA governance dispute.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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