Uefa plans to maintain its refusal to cooperate with Fifa as part of a wider effort to remove Gianni Infantino from the presidency, with further boycotts and institutional resistance expected from major figures in European football.
Uefa and several influential stakeholders remain committed to increasing pressure on Infantino, even if that approach eventually makes the international game extremely difficult to govern.
The Swiss official has no intention of stepping aside. Fifa’s statement on Wednesday underlined that position, while Infantino is believed to remain confident that he has enough support to win the presidential election scheduled for March.
Uefa says Fifa has not provided sufficient guarantees
Uefa has made clear that Fifa’s response has not been strong enough to justify ending the current boycott of its competitions. European football officials are particularly concerned that they have not received firm guarantees against future attempts to introduce major changes such as the proposed privatisation of the World Cup.
Sources close to the situation say Uefa, European Football Clubs and Concacaf are prepared to increase their opposition. Their position is also understood to have support from several governments.
Nobody has publicly confirmed that a complete boycott would continue until Infantino leaves office, but that possibility remains part of the wider pressure surrounding Fifa.
Senior sources have indicated that existing boycotts will remain in place, while individual national federations are expected to continue sending formal expressions of no confidence.
Refusing cooperation could become Uefa’s strongest tool
The most serious problem for Fifa may come from Uefa and other organisations refusing to participate in discussions required to organise tournaments and manage international football.
Such a strategy could leave Infantino formally in charge while severely limiting his ability to make Fifa function effectively.
The proposed 2029 Club World Cup provides one example. Although there has already been considerable discussion about possible boycotts by clubs and national associations, the organisation of the tournament itself has still not been fully agreed.
Fifa is also reportedly seeking to expand the World Cup to 64 teams within the coming weeks. Even if that proposal receives formal approval, implementing it would still depend on agreements with stakeholders that are currently refusing to cooperate.
Player representatives add to criticism of Fifa
FifPro, the global players’ union, has also strongly criticised Fifa’s current direction and said trust in the organisation has been shattered.
There is also a possibility that Uefa representatives could withdraw from participation in several Fifa committees, adding another layer of institutional pressure.
One of the first major tests of Uefa’s position will come in September, when European national teams are due to take part in the Under 20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Sources involved in the dispute believe the confrontation could last for a considerable period. Their view is that the current campaign may represent the best opportunity to remove Infantino now, otherwise another attempt may have to wait for the next presidential cycle four years later.
