UEFA is set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving binding assurances that plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other major competitions will not be revived. The European soccer body is poised to drop the boycott following guarantees that there will be no repeat of Gianni Infantino's failed scheme to partially privatize tournaments by selling stakes to private investors.
The tension began in late July when UEFA announced that its 55 member associations would take no part in FIFA competitions as long as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal remained alive. This proposal had sought to sell off stakes in the global governing body's tournaments.
Following these concrete guarantees, European teams are now likely to be cleared for participation in subsequent tournaments. This includes the upcoming under-20 Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by Poland next month.