Poland Confident U-20 Women’s World Cup Will Proceed Despite FIFA Boycott Threat

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has confirmed it is proceeding with preparations for the 2026 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5 to 27. The tournament faces uncertainty following a decision by European football nations to boycott FIFA events over the governing body’s plan to sell a stake in its commercial operations. Despite the standoff, Poland remains optimistic the issue will be resolved to allow the event to go ahead.

FIFA’s Controversial Financial Restructuring

FIFA announced plans to sell a large minority stake in a new company responsible for managing its major tournaments, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. The proposal has sparked widespread opposition, with UEFA—governing European football—unanimously rejecting the move. UEFA’s 55 national associations have vowed to boycott FIFA competitions until the plan is abandoned.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the proposal, stating it aims to "democratize football" by allowing member associations to benefit from commercial revenues. However, UEFA, Concacaf (governing North America and the Caribbean), and the Asian Football Confederation have all expressed strong opposition, citing concerns over transparency and governance.

Poland’s Stance and Tournament Preparations

In a statement, the PZPN affirmed its commitment to hosting the U-20 Women’s World Cup as planned. It emphasized ongoing collaboration with UEFA and confidence in resolving the dispute: "We believe the current situation will be resolved swiftly, allowing young players from across the world to compete in Poland in a tournament that, for many, represents the fulfillment of a dream."

FIFA requires approval for the plan by September 19, 2026, from a majority of its 211 member associations and the 37-member FIFA Council. So far, the proposal has faced significant resistance, with no clear path to approval.

The U-20 Women’s World Cup will be the first of three FIFA tournaments in 2026, followed by the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco and the Under-17 Men’s World Cup in Qatar. The outcome of the current dispute could impact all three events.