Uefa Boycott Threatens Women's Football
The Under-20 Women's World Cup is scheduled to take place in Poland from 5-27 September 2026. However, the tournament is now under threat due to the dispute between Uefa and Fifa. European governing body Uefa and its 55 members have threatened to boycott Fifa competitions over its president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup.
Poland Confident of Hosting Tournament
Despite the threat of a boycott, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) is confident that the tournament will go ahead as planned. In a statement, the PZPN said: "We believe that the current situation will be resolved swiftly, allowing young players from across the world to compete in Poland." The PZPN added that its priority remains to ensure the best possible conditions for the competition and for all participating teams.
French and Portuguese Teams to Compete
The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that it intends to compete at the U20 World Cup, while the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has also stated that its Under-20 team is complying with the planned programme. This includes a friendly fixture against England later this week.
England's Participation Uncertain
However, England's participation in the tournament remains uncertain. The Football Association has not confirmed whether it will field a team for the World Cup. Coach Lydia Bedford's Young Lionesses squad are continuing preparations for the tournament, but a final decision has yet to be made.
Culture Secretary Speaks Out
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken out against a potential boycott of the Under-20 Women's World Cup. In an interview with the BBC, Nandy said: "I am not generally in favour of sporting boycotts full stop, because I think they divide people from one another, I think they unfairly penalise athletes and competitors who are not responsible for the reason that these boycotts take place." Nandy added that she wants to see a change of leadership at Fifa and a clear message that football belongs to its fans.
Women's Football Going from Strength to Strength
Nandy also highlighted the success of women's football in England, saying: "And our Lionesses are leading the world in that." The Lionesses have been a major success story in recent years, winning the 2022 European Championship and reaching the final of the 2019 World Cup.
Conclusion
The Under-20 Women's World Cup is a major tournament for young female footballers from across the world. The threat of a boycott due to the dispute between Uefa and Fifa is a worrying development for the sport. However, with the Polish Football Association confident of hosting the tournament and the French and Portuguese teams committed to competing, there is still hope that the tournament will go ahead as planned.