UEFA to drop FIFA boycott threat over World Cup stake plan

UEFA is expected to lift its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in major tournaments will not be revived. The decision is likely to be confirmed at a UEFA executive committee meeting in Monaco. UEFA's 55 member associations unanimously backed a boycott following the revelation of FIFA Forward Enterprises, a proposal that would have allowed private investors to purchase stakes in FIFA competitions.

UEFA had demanded the plan's withdrawal and guarantees that similar proposals would not be pursued again. FIFA abandoned the proposal following widespread opposition, leading UEFA to receive assurances that there would be no repeat. The decision means European teams are expected to participate in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, which begins on September 5.

However, UEFA's decision to drop the boycott threat does not signify an end to its opposition to Infantino's leadership, with UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin continuing to criticize the FIFA president and advocating for wider governance reforms within world football.