Lucy Bronze, the Chelsea defender and England international, has publicly endorsed UEFA’s decision to boycott FIFA’s international competitions, saying the move is vital to protect the long‑term health of the sport.
Her stance follows a stark warning from UEFA’s 55 member associations, which have formally declared a loss of confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino after he attempted to sell World Cup shares to private investors, a proposal that was eventually withdrawn in the face of widespread backlash.
A governance crisis that could redefine women’s football
The potential repercussions could exclude Europe’s top teams, including reigning champions Spain and England, from the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while qualifiers and the Under‑20 tournament in Poland may also be disrupted.
European players, led by Bronze, have justified the boycott on the grounds that fair governance and sustainable decision‑making are non‑negotiable for the future of women’s football, urging governing bodies to adopt reforms that prevent unilateral actions by senior officials.
Although Infantino has abandoned the share‑sale plan, pressure remains high, with UEFA demanding concrete guarantees that similar initiatives will not resurface, a condition that could reshape the international calendar and the structure of upcoming tournaments.