France has confirmed its commitment to participate in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup next month, despite UEFA’s potential boycott of FIFA competitions.
The status of England remains uncertain, as the Football Association did not respond to BBC Sport’s inquiry regarding the team’s involvement in the tournament in Poland, which is set to commence in 29 days.
Following FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s announcement to allow private investors to acquire stakes in competitions, the 55 member associations of European football voted to boycott all FIFA events until this proposal was rescinded.
Although those proposals have since been withdrawn, with Infantino expressing remorse for his “errors,” UEFA indicated on Thursday that a boycott could still occur. However, when contacted, the French Football Federation (FFF) reaffirmed its decision to participate in the tournament.
“For now, France will be participating in the FIFA U20 Women World Cup,” the FFF stated.
Six European teams, including England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the host nation Poland, are slated to compete in the tournament.
Women’s football stands to be significantly impacted if UEFA maintains its position:
- 5 September: Women’s Under-20 World Cup is set to begin.
- October: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland will have qualifiers for next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
- October: The Under-17 Women’s World Cup is planned to take place in Morocco.
- June 2027: If they are excluded from the playoffs due to UEFA’s boycott, European teams— including defending champions Spain—will be unable to participate in the Women’s World Cup.
UEFA’s Boycott: A Necessary Step for the Future of the Game – Bronze
Lucy Bronze is a two-time European champion with England [Getty Images]
England defender Lucy Bronze expressed that a UEFA boycott of FIFA competitions would be the “right thing” for the future of the sport, even though it may negatively affect women’s football.
“As players involved in those competitions, we stand by our principles for the sake of our sport,” Bronze stated during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in New Zealand. “If that requires a boycott, then that’s what must happen.
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“It’s for the future of the game, not just for my immediate interests but for all the young girls and boys who will follow us, ensuring that they have a better environment in the years to come, not just for tomorrow.”
Former England defender Anita Asante noted, “The first to suffer will be women’s football tournaments. If this isn’t resolved by the time of England’s qualifiers, the impact could be significant, especially with an already packed schedule.”
Baroness Campbell, former director of women’s football at the Football Association, lamented that it is “tragic” women’s football might bear the brunt of these developments.
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The English FA has sent a letter withdrawing its support for Infantino, and nations like Wales, Albania, and Croatia have also distanced themselves from the FIFA president.