UEFA Still Plans World Cup Boycott, Says Infantino’s Apology Falls Short

UEFA has reiterated its loss of confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and is reportedly still prepared to boycott all FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Following a crisis meeting in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, FIFA issued a statement acknowledging that its “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan to sell minority stakes in the World Cup and other major tournaments to private investors was a “mistake.” The proposal has been shelved. The statement also claimed that senior officials present fully supported Infantino. Despite Infantino’s apology, UEFA has not backed down.

In a statement issued on Thursday to ESPN and *The Athletic*, UEFA set out its conditions for participation: the complete withdrawal of the proposal to sell stakes in major competitions, and a guarantee that no such attempt will be made again. UEFA said these conditions have not been met and restated its lack of confidence in Infantino’s leadership.

UEFA argued that FIFA’s Wednesday statement focused only on procedural shortcomings and was insufficient to resolve the dispute. UEFA had previously described the investment strategy as involving “despicable, backroom, opaque deals.” All six continental confederations have voiced positions on the matter, with Concacaf also questioning Infantino’s governance.

The Women’s World Cup is scheduled for next summer in Brazil, with 11 of the 32 places allocated to UEFA teams. UEFA noted that expressions of support from FIFA staff under the president “change nothing.” FIFA maintained that all actions complied with its statutes, apologised to its Council and member associations, and pledged not to repeat the error. Whether any boycott will actually take place remains to be seen.