UEFA is preparing to rescind its threat to boycott FIFA tournaments after receiving guarantees that proposals to sell stakes in the World Cup and other flagship competitions would not be revived, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. The development arrives as Italy became the latest national federation to withdraw its backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) formally stepped away from supporting Infantino's candidacy ahead of the FIFA presidential election due next March. In a statement, FIGC declared the move was made "in full agreement with UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin" regarding what it described as recent initiatives promoted by Infantino concerning the governance and development of international competitions.
Pressure on Infantino has been mounting steadily. Three confederations — UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean — are urging his resignation. These regional bodies have discussed the possibility of a vote of no confidence against the FIFA chief, who is planning to seek re-election for a fourth term next year and is expected to face significant opposition.
Infantino, who still commands support from African and South American confederations, has reportedly moved to bypass these governing bodies and appeal directly to individual member associations.
Claudius Schaefer, president of European Leagues, told The Athletic that Infantino has no future at FIFA and that the organization urgently needs reform.
The shift comes in the wake of FIFA's July decision to withdraw a proposal that had sparked opposition from all 55 UEFA member associations. Those associations had agreed to boycott FIFA competitions after details of the plan surfaced last month.
The potential boycott took on added urgency as teams are currently preparing for the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, set to begin on September 5th.
UEFA officials are expected to inform FIFA's executive committee and the presidents of most member associations at a meeting in Monaco on Thursday that the conditions for lifting the boycott have been satisfied. UEFA had demanded both the withdrawal of the proposal and assurances that comparable plans would not be pursued again.
"It's not a UEFA defeat, rather the reality of avoiding hurting young players' once in a lifetime opportunity. The actions and insistence on change will continue," a source close to the discussions told Reuters.