Poland has confirmed that preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup are moving forward as scheduled, with organizers stating that the event has now reached its final phase. The tournament, set to take place from September 5 to 27, is poised to be the first FIFA competition held since the 55 member associations of UEFA unanimously voted to boycott FIFA events.
This widespread dissent follows a controversial proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sell 20 percent of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors in a deal valued at approximately $4.2 billion. Although Infantino later abandoned the plan, the move triggered a significant governance crisis within international football.
The Polish Football Association (PZPN) stated on Tuesday that they have received no indications that any participating teams intend to withdraw. Emphasizing the importance of the event for young athletes, the federation noted that they remain fully committed to hosting a tournament that honors the talent and dedication of the players involved.
Despite the ongoing tensions, several nations have confirmed their attendance. New Zealand Football confirmed it will send a team to Poland, describing the tournament as a critical component in the development of the women’s game. France has also confirmed its participation, marking the first nation to do so for the 24-team event.
Meanwhile, other major footballing nations have remained more reserved. The US Soccer Federation declined to comment on its status, while England’s FA and Canada Soccer have issued no official statements regarding their participation.
UEFA reiterated its firm stance last week, noting that the conditions required to end the boycott have not been met. In a statement, the European governing body reaffirmed that it has lost confidence in Infantino’s presidency, a position that remains unchanged since their initial declaration on July 30.
Sources close to the negotiations indicated that discussions between various confederations over the weekend acknowledged the potential need for future talks regarding alternative tournament structures. However, these sources stressed that such conversations have not yet occurred, and there is a collective hope that they will ultimately prove unnecessary.
The dispute poses a significant threat to the immediate future of women’s international football. Beyond the upcoming U-20 event in Poland, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled for October in Morocco.
Furthermore, the fallout could impact the path to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, as several European nations—including World Cup runners-up England—have already scheduled qualifying matches. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders monitor whether the governance standoff will escalate further.
Hosts Poland have said that preparations for next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup remain on schedule, as the tournament prepares to become the first FIFA event staged amid the backlash against global football chief G
“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 said in a statement to the Reuters news agency on Tuesday.
