Uefa withdraws World Cup boycott threat after Infantino sell-off plan collapses

UEFA is set to abandon its boycott of the World Cup and all FIFA-sanctioned tournaments after Gianni Infantino's doomed plan to sell off stakes in the governing body's competitions failed to materialise. The stance from European football's governing body comes after its 55 member associations concluded that the conditions they had set out have been fulfilled.

• All 55 UEFA members are expected to drop their boycott threat against FIFA tournaments following the collapse of Infantino's sell-off proposal.
• The two conditions laid out by UEFA — withdrawing the plan and securing assurances it will never be repeated — are considered met.
• The decision clears the way for six European teams, including England, to travel to Poland for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.
• Opposition to Infantino remaining as FIFA president remains unchanged ahead of next year's election.

The FIFA tournament sell-off plan that sparked UEFA's boycott threat

Last month, UEFA and all 55 of its national associations announced plans to boycott FIFA competitions until Infantino dropped his proposal to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments. The ultimatum also demanded assurances that such attempts to reshape the game in that way would never be repeated.

UEFA's 55 members demanded Infantino withdraw his proposal and provide assurances that attempts to disfigure the game in this way would never be made again.

Monaco meeting set to confirm the boycott is over

UEFA bosses are expected to inform their executive committee and the presidents of numerous member associations, gathered in Monaco on Thursday, that both conditions have been met. The meeting takes place ahead of the Champions League league-stage draw at 5pm BST in Monte-Carlo.

What the decision means for the Under-20 Women's World Cup and Brazil qualification

The timing of the walk-down is critical for the international women's calendar. Six European teams, including England, are due to fly to Poland on Monday for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday 5 September. The boycott threat had cast serious doubt over their participation.

The move also removes any uncertainty surrounding the senior England women's team, who face play-offs later this year as they look to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Opposition to Infantino's FIFA presidency remains in place

Despite the decision to withdraw the boycott, UEFA's position on Infantino continuing as FIFA president has not changed. Numerous European associations have already withdrawn their backing for the Swiss-Italian official ahead of next year's presidential election.

The opposition extends beyond Europe. Asia's AFC and Concacaf, which governs football across North and Central America and the Caribbean, have joined UEFA in opposing Infantino. The regional bodies have also discussed a potential vote of no confidence in the FIFA chief.

The controversies eroding Infantino's standing

Infantino's leadership has been dogged by a series of contentious decisions. Serious concerns were raised over the inaugural FIFA peace prize awarded to US president Donald Trump in December, as well as the overturning of a ban for American forward Folarin Balogun during this year's World Cup following a phone call from Trump.

European leagues pile pressure on FIFA's leadership

Claudius Schaefer, president of European Leagues — an organisation representing 53 professional men's and women's football competitions — has insisted Infantino has no future at the top of world football's governing body. In an interview published on Wednesday, Schaefer voiced grave concerns about the direction FIFA has taken under his leadership.

We question his suitability to continue as president. Here in Switzerland, we've had a close view of FIFA and it seems that the influence of the president has grown from year to year. Major decisions are taken without meaningful consultation with stakeholders who will be affected.

Schaefer, who has called for fundamental structural reform within FIFA, argues that the current governance model concentrates too much power in the president's office while sidelining those directly impacted by its decisions.