European nations to go back on threat to boycott FIFA

European nations are set to withdraw their threat to boycott FIFA competitions but are discussing other protests against Gianni Infantino's ongoing but embattled leadership, Sky News understands. 

It means England will play as planned next week at the Under-20s Women's World Cup in the first FIFA event since Mr Infantino plunged his presidency into crisis by trying to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors.

UEFA last month announced boycott plans to force him to drop the controversial scheme, which happened with a climbdown.

The European governing body decided Mr Infantino's withdrawal of the privatisation of the World Cup was not enough, saying a condition for European teams to participate in FIFA competitions again would be "assurances such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again".

It's understood there have been assurances received by UEFA which will be discussed in meetings being held in Monaco on Thursday.

So the threat of boycotting the U20s tournament in Poland has now been lifted.

A FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA strongly believes that football has the power to unite, even in challenging circumstances, and looks forward to welcoming all teams and players to Poland.

"We remain committed to how we can further support the global development of the game, through our competitions, through the FIFA Forward programme and through our various other initiatives, and in full dialogue with the Confederations and stakeholders."

The next senior national team competition being run by FIFA is the main Women's World Cup, but that begins next June after the world body's presidential election in March.

European football's governing body is leading a global drive to force Mr Infantino from power, and the boycott threat was deployed as pressure to collapse the sell-off scheme.

While the U20s event lacks the visibility of the senior World Cup, it will give Mr Infantino a platform to project himself as president while under attack from his FIFA vice presidents in Asia, Europe and North America.

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Recent days have been used by Mr Infantino and FIFA to highlight how they have raised money and invested it in football associations, who each have a vote carrying equal weight in the presidential election.

He has not referenced next year's vote, and this is not the absolute campaign period since the deadline for candidates, who have the support of five FAs, is not until November.

(c) Sky News 2026: European nations to go back on threat to boycott FIFA