European soccer body set to drop FIFA competition boycott after World Cup financing plan scrapped

UEFA is expected to formally end its threat to boycott FIFA competitions during a meeting of its member federations in Monaco on Thursday, following assurances that FIFA's proposed private financing scheme for the World Cup will not be revived. The plan, which would have allowed investors to buy stakes in a FIFA commercial subsidiary, was shelved after UEFA condemned it as a "shady, opaque backroom deal" and warned that no European national teams would participate in FIFA events while it remained active. UEFA had also sought guarantees that similar attempts to restructure global football governance would not be made again.

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The dispute centered on FIFA's Forward Enterprise initiative, which would have created a commercial subsidiary allowing private investors to buy stakes in major tournaments like the World Cup and Club World Cup. UEFA's condemnation proved pivotal in shelving the plan, and European federations now appear satisfied that similar governance restructuring attempts will not resurface.

The boycott's withdrawal clears the way for European participation in upcoming events, including the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland and ongoing qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Meanwhile, Thursday's Champions League draw sees Paris Saint-Germain pursuing a third consecutive European title, a feat only Real Madrid achieved