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Boycott threat looms over Women's U20 World Cup amid calls for FIFA reform

A potential boycott is threatening September's Women's Under-20 World Cup and other upcoming tournaments, as calls for stronger governance and accountability at FIFA intensify.

  • The threat of a boycott is impacting September's Women's Under-20 World Cup, October's Women's Under-17 World Cup, and senior World Cup playoff ties.
  • New Zealand has withdrawn its backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling for "stronger governance, accountability and transparency."
  • England defender Lucy Bronze has publicly supported a boycott "for the good of the game."

The upcoming Women's Under-20 World Cup in September, along with the Women's Under-17 World Cup in October and senior World Cup playoff ties, face a potential boycott. This action is being considered as a way to push for significant changes within FIFA.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's future is reportedly uncertain, with the Oceania Football Confederation declaring support for him, while its largest member, New Zealand, has withdrawn its backing. New Zealand, co-hosts of the most recent Women's World Cup, is advocating for "stronger governance, accountability and transparency."

England defender Lucy Bronze has voiced her support for a boycott, stating it would be "for the good of the game." Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, however, has indicated she would not support a boycott of the U20 World Cup, citing concerns about unfairly penalising athletes.

Concerns have been raised about the representation of women within FIFA's committees and the disparity in prize money between men's and women's World Cups. For instance, only two women are among the 18 members of FIFA's disciplinary committee, and all 10 members of the Future of Football committee are men.

Why this matters: The potential boycott highlights ongoing issues regarding governance, accountability, and gender representation within FIFA, which could lead to significant reforms in women's football.

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