New Zealand join France in confirming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup participation amid UEFA boycott threats | Football News
New Zealand have confirmed they will take part in next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, joining France in becoming the first teams to publicly confirm their participation amid the ongoing dispute between UEFA and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, news agency Reuters reported.The 24-team tournament will be the first FIFA event to take place since UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously backed a boycott of FIFA competitions following Infantino’s proposal to sell 20% of the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors for about $4.2 billion. Infantino later abandoned the plan.The proposal triggered a dispute over football governance.“New Zealand Football is sending a team to the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Poland next month, the tournament is critical in the development for the women’s game,” a New Zealand Football spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters on Tuesday.France were the first country to confirm their participation in the tournament.“For now, France will be participating to the FIFA U20 Women World Cup,” the federation said.
Boycott threat
UEFA reiterated its boycott threat last week, saying its position had not changed.“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non participation in FIFA competitions,” the European football federation said in a statement.“These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on (July 30) that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino’s presidency. That position holds.”There was an acknowledgement during weekend talks between the confederations that alternative tournaments might have to be considered in the future, a source was quoted as saying by Reuters.“Those talks have not yet been had and it is hoped they will not be necessary,” the source said, as quoted by Reuters.Women’s football could be among the first areas affected if the dispute escalates. FIFA’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Morocco in October, while European teams, including World Cup runners-up England, have qualifying matches scheduled for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.Poland, the host nation for the Under-20 tournament, said preparations were continuing as planned.
