UEFA Maintains World Cup Boycott Threat Despite FIFA Apology

UEFA has maintained its threat to boycott FIFA competitions despite the world football governing body withdrawing a controversial proposal to sell stakes in World Cup profits. European football’s governing body said the conditions required for it to abandon the boycott warning had not been fulfilled and reiterated that it had lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

UEFA said its member associations had demanded the complete withdrawal of proposals to commercialise FIFA’s major competitions and firm assurances that similar attempts would never be repeated. Although FIFA has abandoned the project and apologised for mistakes surrounding it, UEFA said those steps were insufficient. It stressed that its previously announced position on Infantino’s leadership remained unchanged.

The dispute centres on FIFA’s plan to sell rights linked to World Cup profits through a commercial subsidiary. The proposal drew widespread criticism and prompted UEFA to vote in favour of withdrawing from FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded. FIFA subsequently reversed course, acknowledged errors and pledged to prevent similar decisions from being made in the future.

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FIFA and Infantino sought to display unity following a high-level meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. The organisation said the president had received the full support of senior staff attending the meeting and expressed hope that the discussions would help restore confidence after the controversy. UEFA rejected the significance of that endorsement, arguing that support from FIFA employees did not alter its position.

Pressure on Infantino has also increased from other organisations. Global players’ union FIFPRO accused him of a “profound abuse of presidential power,” while the English Football Association withdrew its support for his re-election. Amnesty International said the crisis highlighted the need for governance reforms, adding to calls for stronger accountability within football’s international governing structures.

UEFA’s refusal to withdraw its boycott threat leaves FIFA facing a significant institutional crisis and raises the possibility of a challenge to Infantino’s presidency. European national teams are central to the commercial and competitive success of FIFA tournaments, making any potential withdrawal highly consequential. However, UEFA has not announced a boycott and continues to describe non-participation as a possible response if its conditions remain unmet.

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