The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced on Thursday, August 6, 2026, that its boycott of FIFA competitions, including the World Cups, remains in effect. This decision follows FIFA's withdrawal of its plan to open up World Cup ownership to outside investors, a move that had sparked widespread condemnation.

UEFA reiterated that it has lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino and stated that the conditions required to end the boycott have not been met. In a statement, UEFA emphasized that its associations were clear about the conditions for non-participation in FIFA competitions: the withdrawal of proposals to sell off major competitions and assurances that such attempts will never be made again.

Despite FIFA and Infantino presenting a united front at a high-level summit in Morocco on Wednesday, where it was announced that Infantino had the full support of top staff, UEFA remains unconvinced. The European governing body expressed concern over repeated unilateral actions taken by FIFA and indicated that the leadership crisis paves the way for a challenge to Infantino's presidency.

FIFA expressed hope that the recent meeting would help restore confidence in the organization after the turbulence caused by Infantino's now-abandoned project.

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UEFA highlighted its "concern regarding the repeated unilateral actions taken," underscoring the ongoing tensions between the two organizations.

Sources