The Union of European Football Associations is maintaining its plan to boycott all FIFA competitions and events despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino issuing an apology and withdrawing a controversial commercial sales proposal. The European governing body stated that it has not yet received the necessary guarantees to drop its decision against Infantino.
All 55 member federations of UEFA unanimously approved the boycott during an emergency meeting on July 30, 2026. The decision came after Infantino presented a plan to raise billions of dollars in private investment through a new commercial structure named FIFA Forward Enterprise.
UEFA resistance was reportedly decisive in forcing Infantino to abandon the investment project. However, the European organization stated that the withdrawal was not enough to change its stance regarding Infantino's management.
UEFA said in a statement that its member associations clearly established two conditions for participating in FIFA competitions. First, proposals to sell commercial stakes in major competitions had to be withdrawn, and second, FIFA had to provide guarantees that attempts to disfigure football in this manner would never happen again.
UEFA added that those conditions were not met and reaffirmed its position from a prior statement that it had lost confidence in the presidency of Infantino.
FIFA emergency meeting in Morocco
Infantino held an emergency meeting with top FIFA executives in Morocco on August 5, 2026. Following the meeting, FIFA acknowledged errors in how information about the FIFA Forward Enterprise project was communicated and apologized to its 211 member federations for excluding them from the process.
At the same time, FIFA reaffirmed its full confidence in Infantino and credited him with part of the success of the 2026 World Cup. FIFA management stated that the results of the Morocco meeting would strengthen governance, restore trust in the organization, and help prepare for upcoming major events and challenges.
UEFA dismissed FIFA's positioning, declaring that an announcement from employees whose careers depend on Infantino's support did not alter the European body's stance.
Support from African and Mexican federations
Infantino continues to receive support from other regions in world football despite the ongoing conflict with UEFA. The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football stated on August 6, 2026, that its 54 member federations unanimously maintain their support for the FIFA president and thanked him for his backing of African football over the years.
Morocco is scheduled to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The tournament will make Morocco the second African territory to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.
The Mexican Football Federation, one of three national organizations that hosted the 2026 World Cup, also expressed support for Infantino. The Mexican federation stated in a release that it supports Infantino's leadership in continuing the development of football through institutional strengthening.
