Uefa to push to remove Infantino after dropping boycott
August 26, 2026 23:04
UEFA has dropped its threat to boycott FIFA competitions but will continue to pursue moves to remove Gianni Infantino from the FIFA presidency. European associations and the confederation’s FIFA Council members are due to receive a formal letter guaranteeing that the disputed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan will not be revived.
The executive committee in Monaco will formally record the end of the boycott, clearing the way for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland to go ahead with six European sides. UEFA is also reported to be working towards finding a single challenger to oppose Infantino at his re-election bid in March.
KEY CONTEXT
- The 55 UEFA member associations had previously voted to boycott FIFA events until the FFE proposal was withdrawn in full and binding assurances were given against private ownership in FIFA governance or competitions.
- UEFA will present assurances that the FFE will not be reinstated; FIFA has welcomed the decision and said it is pleased all qualified teams will take part in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Election rules matter: a candidate needs 106 of FIFA’s 211 member associations to win the presidency, while a vote of no confidence would require three quarters — 159 votes — a threshold UEFA has concluded is unrealistic.
WHY IT MATTERS
Ending the boycott removes an immediate threat to European participation in FIFA tournaments and allows the Under-20 Women’s World Cup to proceed as planned. At the same time, UEFA’s continued push to replace Infantino keeps governance questions at the centre of the sport’s leadership debate; reports indicate a tightly contested re-election could seriously weaken the president’s mandate even if he were to be re-elected.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- UEFA’s executive committee meeting in Monaco, where the boycott’s official withdrawal will be confirmed.
- The formal presentation of the letter guaranteeing the FFE will not be revived to UEFA’s 55 members and its FIFA Council representatives.