UEFA has reaffirmed its position on the potential boycott of future men’s and women’s World Cups, following a crisis meeting on Wednesday in Morocco. This comes in the wake of FIFA President Gianni Infantino receiving “full support” from FIFA leadership after the recognition of controversial proposals to commercialize the World Cups.

Last week, UEFA issued an initial warning about the possibility of boycotts, aimed at a proposal known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would allow outside investment in key competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. UEFA remains steadfast in its stance, underscoring that boycotts could still occur despite Infantino’s recent apology.

UEFA’s Conditions for Participation

A spokesperson for UEFA stated that conditions for participation in FIFA competitions had been clearly communicated. The organization’s demands included the withdrawal of plans to sell major competitions and guarantees that similar proposals would not resurface in the future. According to UEFA, these conditions have not been met.

Despite support for Infantino from some FIFA officials, UEFA maintains that its confidence in his presidency has diminished. In comments reported by *The Athletic*, the spokesperson noted that the opinions of FIFA staff members do not influence UEFA’s position.

Following the meeting, Infantino released a statement emphasizing FIFA’s resolve to safeguard its integrity and reputation against perceived attacks. While UEFA’s stance has been prominent, other football confederations have also expressed discontent. Concacaf has voiced its anger over the situation, and Conmebol issued a statement highlighting concerns about communication and decision-making errors within FIFA.

Conmebol criticized unilateral governance actions and emphasized the importance of dialogue and respect for football’s institutional frameworks, reminding stakeholders that a collaborative approach is crucial for the sport’s success.

Conversely, the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) publicly reaffirmed its support for Infantino, indicating ongoing collaboration with FIFA. Infantino has previously stated that he has received support from over 200 member associations, though recent developments may challenge that figure.

With three UEFA members—the English Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the Serbian Football Federation—having recently withdrawn their backing for Infantino, the landscape of support is uncertain as FIFA’s presidential elections approach.

FIFPro, a global players’ union, also criticized the scrapped FFE proposal, labeling it a misuse of presidential powers. FIFPro contends that restoring trust within the game will require more than statements or reforms; it demands meaningful engagement with stakeholders on major issues, including changes in the international match calendar and voting rights on the FIFA Council.