Poland prepares for Under-20 Women’s World Cup amid FIFA governance dispute

Preparations for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland are entering their final stages despite an escalating governance dispute within FIFA. The tournament, scheduled for September 5 to 27, arrives amid a significant backlash against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This follows a controversial proposal by Infantino to sell 20% of World Cup commercial rights to private investors to raise approximately $4.2 billion, a plan he has since abandoned.

The dispute has led UEFA’s 55 member associations to vote unanimously in support of a boycott of FIFA competitions. However, several nations have confirmed they will still participate. Canada Soccer and New Zealand Football have both stated they intend to compete, with New Zealand emphasizing the tournament's importance for player development. France has also confirmed its participation.

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) reported that it has received no information regarding potential withdrawals and remains focused on delivering the event. While the United States is expected to compete, U.S. Soccer has declined to comment, and other federations like Canada and England have also withheld official statements regarding their status.