Preparations for next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland remain on schedule, host organisers confirmed on Tuesday, with the competition set to be the first Fifa event staged amid backlash against global football chief Gianni Infantino.
This marks the first Fifa tournament since all 55 Uefa member associations voted unanimously to support a boycott of Fifa competitions. That decision followed Infantino proposing and subsequently withdrawing a plan to sell 20 per cent of World Cup commercial rights to private investors to raise roughly $4.2 billion, triggering a major governance dispute.
“Preparations for the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup are progressing according to the agreed schedule and have now entered their final stage,” the Polish federation stated in a statement to Reuters.
“The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has not received any information regarding the possible withdrawal of any participating team from the tournament. We believe that the current situation will be resolved swiftly.
“For many of these young players, this tournament represents an important milestone in their sporting careers, and we remain fully focused on delivering an event worthy of their talent and commitment.”
New Zealand have joined France in confirming participation in the tournament, scheduled from September 5 to 27.
“New Zealand Football is sending a team to the U20 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Poland next month. The tournament is critical in the development for the women’s game,” a New Zealand Football spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday.
France were the initial nation to confirm involvement in the 24-team competition.
“For now, France will be participating to the Fifa U20 Women World Cup,” the federation confirmed.
England’s FA and Canada Soccer offered no comment, whereas the US are expected to compete. The US Soccer federation declined to comment.
Meanwhile, European governing body Uefa reinforced its boycott threat last week.
“Uefa’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non participation in FIFA competitions,” the European football federation said in a statement.
“These conditions have not been met. In addition, Uefa made it abundantly clear in its statement on (July 30) that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.”
A source close to the situation noted that weekend discussions between confederations acknowledged potential future talks about alternative tournaments may be necessary.
“Those talks have not yet been had and it is hoped they will not be necessary,” the source said.
Women’s football could be the primary area impacted should the rift escalate further.
Morocco is scheduled to host Fifa’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup in October, while European nations, including World Cup runners-up England, have scheduled qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
