UEFA to drop FIFA boycott threat as Infantino faces pressure

UEFA is set to formally withdraw its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that Gianni Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup will not be revived. The decision, expected at a meeting of UEFA's 55 member federations in Monaco on Thursday, clears six European teams to participate in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland starting September 5 Source: AP News.

The fallout

Infantino dropped the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal on August 1 after a global backlash. The plan would have sold a 20% stake in a subsidiary controlling FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup, to investors led by Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital Management for $4.2 billion Source: AP News. UEFA has filed court documents in the US seeking evidence for a potential Swiss criminal complaint against Infantino for "criminal mismanagement" Source: AP News.

Support and opposition

While UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF have called for Infantino's resignation, he retains support from African and South American confederations Source: cna. Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 World Cup, publicly backed Infantino, citing his "contribution to growing the game" Source: cna. Italy became the latest European federation to withdraw support, while former players like Fabio Cannavaro and Samuel Eto'o defended him Source: aljazeera, CNN.

What's next

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running against Infantino but warned he will face a challenger if he seeks re-election in March Source: AP News. The deadline for candidates is November 18 Source: AP News.