UEFA boycott threat still hangs over Poland U20 World Cup

Poland’s staging of this year’s FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup remains uncertain after UEFA stopped short of ruling out a boycott of upcoming FIFA competitions, despite the collapse of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell the rights to organise World Cups and other tournaments.

FIFA plan may be gone, but tensions remain

According to the source material, Infantino had pushed an idea that would have seen the rights to host the World Cup and other FIFA events sold on to private investors. The proposal triggered strong resistance across football and was ultimately abandoned.

UEFA was at the forefront of that opposition, issuing a series of critical statements and warning that it could boycott FIFA tournaments if the plan went ahead. Although that specific proposal has now fallen away, the dispute has not fully cooled.

Reports cited in the source indicate that UEFA remains angry, and a boycott has still not been completely taken off the table. That matters directly for Poland, which is due to host the Women’s U20 World Cup this year.

Poland waiting for clarity

If UEFA were to proceed with a boycott, Poland could be placed in a deeply awkward position: either go against the European governing body or risk losing the tournament. For now, the Polish Football Association is waiting for the outcome of talks between UEFA and FIFA.

Łukasz Wachowski, the PZPN general secretary, said the Polish federation is in contact with UEFA and expects the matter to be resolved within the next several days. He added that negotiations between UEFA and FIFA are ongoing, and that Poland will act in line with the guidance it receives.

Wachowski also stressed that, from the Polish side, preparations are complete and the country is ready to host the tournament.

Tournament schedule leaves little room for delay

The issue needs to be settled quickly. The tournament is due to begin in less than a month, with the opening matches scheduled for 5 September 2026.

Matches are set to be played in four Polish cities:

• Katowice
• Sosnowiec
• Bielsko-Biała
• Łódź

Poland have been drawn in a group with Argentina, Benin and Mexico. Their opening game is against Argentina, followed by fixtures against Mexico and Benin. North Korea will arrive as defending champions.

A significant test for Poland

For Poland, the uncertainty is especially frustrating because the event is close and the organisational work is, according to PZPN, already in place. The wider political struggle between FIFA and UEFA has therefore become more than an administrative dispute; it now carries practical consequences for a host nation preparing to welcome a major international tournament.

The next few days should be decisive. Until then, Poland can do little more than wait for the governing bodies to settle a conflict that has already outlived the original proposal at the heart of it.