UEFA Set to End FIFA Boycott Threat After Infantino Drops $20 Billion World Cup Plan

European football body UEFA is set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that Gianni Infantino's controversial $20 billion World Cup commercial plan will not be revived.

The move is expected to be discussed by UEFA's 55 member federations at a meeting in Monaco, ahead of the Champions League draw. Ending the boycott threat would remove uncertainty over the participation of six European teams in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup, which begins on September 5 in Poland.

England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland are among the 24 teams competing in the tournament, alongside the United States, Brazil and Argentina.

The dispute began last month after reports revealed Infantino's proposal to create a new subsidiary that would control FIFA's commercial rights, including those linked to the World Cup. The venture was reportedly valued at $20 billion and was expected to involve investors led by a New York fund created by Joshua Kushner.

Under the proposal, FIFA's 211 member federations were reportedly offered $20 million each, with a mid-September deadline to accept the deal.

The plan triggered an immediate backlash across world football. UEFA led the opposition, supported by the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, while senior figures within FIFA also criticised the proposal. Facing growing resistance, Infantino withdrew the plan within just four days.

However, UEFA demanded guarantees that the proposed venture, reportedly called FIFA Forward Enterprise, would not return in a modified form. Those assurances have now been received, paving the way for the boycott threat to be dropped.

FIFA welcomed the easing of tensions and said it looked forward to welcoming all participating teams to Poland.

The immediate crisis may be fading, but the political pressure on Infantino remains. UEFA recently declared that it had no confidence in his leadership, casting uncertainty over his bid for another term.

The deadline for FIFA presidential candidates is November 18, ahead of the election in Rabat, Morocco, next March. The boycott may be over, but Infantino's battle for control of world football is far from finished.