Uefa and other key European football stakeholders are set to intensify their campaign to unseat Gianni Infantino as Fifa president, with boycotts and non-cooperation expected to continue, potentially making the global game 'ungovernable'.
Infantino remains determined to stay in his position, and is aware he still has the numbers to win March's election. However, Uefa signalled its intent by stating that Fifa's response so far does not meet the threshold for their boycott to be lifted, specifically pointing to a lack of 'assurances' that attempts like the privatisation of the World Cup 'to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again'.
Numerous sources insist that Uefa, along with its alliance with European Football Clubs and Concacaf, backed by various governments, are willing to go further. While no one would outright say they will threaten a boycott until Infantino resigns, the possibility weighs over everything. High-level sources did insist that 'boycotts will continue', as will letters of no confidence from various individual federations.
Most significantly, Uefa and other stakeholders will refuse to engage with Fifa on key discussions required to stage competitions and run the game. This could prove the most effective weapon, as Infantino would be unable to actually govern despite sitting in power. As an illustration, while there have been claims about boycotts of the 2029 Club World Cup, the staging of the competition has not even been agreed.
Fifa is aiming to expand the World Cup to 64 teams over the next four weeks, but even confirmation would require more agreements from obstructive stakeholders. FifPro, the global players' union, has also criticised Fifa, saying all trust has been 'shattered'. There is even the possibility that Uefa figures do not participate in Fifa's various committees.