European football nations are set to withdraw their threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances from the world football governing body, according to Sky News.
The development follows weeks of tension between UEFA and FIFA president Gianni Infantino over a controversial proposal that threatened to deepen divisions within world football.
UEFA made the boycott threat last month in opposition to plans to sell shares in a World Cup-related commercial venture to private investors.
The proposal triggered strong resistance from European football authorities, who raised concerns about the potential restructuring of the sport and the concentration of commercial power within FIFA.
Infantino later abandoned the plan, but UEFA maintained that European teams would only return to FIFA competitions after receiving guarantees that similar attempts to alter the structure of international football would not be repeated.
According to a Sky News report, those assurances have now been received and are expected to be discussed at meetings in Monaco on Thursday, August 27.
European teams to return to FIFA competition
The development means England and other European nations are expected to participate as planned in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next week, effectively ending the immediate threat of a boycott.
The tournament will be the first FIFA competition since the dispute over Infantino’s proposed World Cup commercial sell-off plunged his presidency into one of its most serious political crises.
UEFA has continued to lead efforts to challenge Infantino’s leadership, with support reportedly coming from FIFA vice presidents in Asia, Europe and North America.
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The Under-20 Women’s World Cup is also expected to give Infantino an opportunity to make a public appearance as FIFA president, despite continuing political divisions within the organisation.
The next senior FIFA tournament will be the Women’s World Cup, scheduled for June 2027. However, the competition will take place after FIFA’s presidential election, which is due to be held in March.
Infantino has yet to publicly address the upcoming election, while potential candidates face a November deadline to secure the backing of at least five football associations.
The withdrawal of UEFA’s boycott threat could ease immediate tensions within FIFA, but the underlying political contest over the organisation’s leadership and commercial direction is expected to continue ahead of the presidential election.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.