Why is UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions?

Because of FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in commercial rights for the World Cup to private investors, which has met with strong opposition from UEFA's 55 member associations.

Which competition would be affected first by the boycott?

The U20 Women's World Cup, which begins on September 5, 2026, in Poland and is expected to feature six European teams.

Has France confirmed its participation in the U20 World Cup?

Yes, the French Football Federation has confirmed to BBC Sport that France will take part in the tournament, unlike most other European associations which remain silent.

What did Lucy Bronze say about the potential boycott?

The England footballer stated that the boycott is "the right thing" for the future of football and that players must stick to their beliefs, even if it means missing major competitions.

Football

Women Will Feel the Consequences First, but They Say: Let the Boycott Happen

N.G. · Prije 2h | 2 min

England international Lucy Bronze backs UEFA's radical measures, while France has confirmed its participation in the U20 World Cup in Poland, and the fate of other European teams remains uncertain.

Summary

All 55 UEFA member associations have announced the possibility of boycotting FIFA competitions due to Gianni Infantino's controversial plan to sell commercial rights.
The first to be affected is the U20 Women's World Cup, which begins on September 5, 2026, in Poland, with six European teams.
England footballer Lucy Bronze has backed the boycott, saying it is for future generations, while France is the only team to confirm its participation.
Long-term consequences threaten the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil if European teams miss the qualifiers.

England footballer Lucy Bronze has said that a boycott of FIFA competitions by UEFA member associations would be "the right thing" for the future of football, despite the fact that such a decision could have the first and most significant impact on women's football. The next FIFA competition is the U20 Women's World Cup, which kicks off on September 5, 2026, in Poland.

UEFA's reaction came after reports that FIFA president Gianni Infantino plans to sell a stake in commercial rights related to the World Cup to private investors. All 55 UEFA member associations have announced the possibility of boycotting FIFA competitions, and this option remains on the table even after FIFA backed down from the controversial plan.

Women's Football Would Feel the Consequences First

Six European teams are expected to take part in the tournament in Poland, England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and hosts Poland. However, Lucy Bronze, Chelsea player and England international, believes that players must remain true to their convictions even if it means missing out on major competitions.

"I think the players who take part in these tournaments, European players, stand firmly behind their beliefs about what is good for our sport," said Bronze. "If that means boycotting competitions, then it has to happen. This is about the future, not just us and this moment."

The two-time European champion stressed that such decisions are not just about the current generation of footballers. "This is for all the boys and girls who come after us. It's important that we make sure football moves in the right direction in the decades ahead," added Bronze.

France Confirms Participation

While most European football associations remain silent about their participation, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed to BBC Sport that their team will compete in the tournament. "For now, France will take part in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup," reads a short but definitive statement from the FFF.

The most devastating potential outcome of this political maneuvering concerns the 2027 Women's World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil. If European teams miss the qualifying playoffs due to a boycott, they would become ineligible for the final tournament. In October 2026, the U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco is also scheduled, and teams like Serbia will play playoff matches against Finland on October 7 and 13 for a spot at the World Cup in Brazil.