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UEFA is set to formally pull back its threat to boycott FIFA competitions after a period of sharp tension between the two governing bodies. The move follows clear assurances given to European officials that Gianni Infantino's controversial and now-abandoned plan to sell World Cup rights to private investors will not be brought back.

Assurances lead to a ceasefire

European football's governing body is expected to officially step away from the brink of a historic split with FIFA at a meeting of member federations in Monaco this Thursday. The gathering, taking place before the Champions League draw, is likely to see UEFA members vote to end the boycott threat that has hung over international football for weeks, according to a person familiar with the proposal who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The settlement of this dispute comes as a major relief for the global game, as it removes the possibility of several leading nations entering upcoming tournaments under the cloud of political withdrawal. In particular, it means six European teams can continue their final preparations for the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup, which is due to start on September 5 in Poland.

The collapse of the $20 billion plan

Tensions hit a peak last month when details surfaced of Infantino's ambitious proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary to control FIFA's commercial rights, including the World Cup. The proposed company, reportedly called FIFA Forward Enterprise, was meant to be 20% owned by a consortium of private investors led by a New York-based fund.

Facing intense pressure, the FIFA president had to abandon the proposal just four days after it became public. Even so, UEFA remained unconvinced and sought formal guarantees that the spinoff would not return under a new name or in a slightly modified version later on. 'UEFA then said it wanted assurances the spinoff, to be called FIFA Forward Enterprise, would not be presented in a different form. That assurance was now received,' the person told the AP.

Infantino faces leadership challenges

Although the immediate tensions have eased, relations between Infantino and European officials are still strained. On August 1, UEFA publicly stated that it had no confidence in Infantino's leadership, a move widely seen as the first step in an effort to stop his re-election next year. Highlighting the widening divide, the Italian FA (FIGC) released a statement on Wednesday formally withdrawing its support for the embattled FIFA president, while reaffirming its intention to stand with UEFA and other European counterparts in backing a football model based on merit, sustainability and fan focus.

The investor-plan fallout has clearly weakened Infantino's standing among some of his most influential stakeholders. The timetable for the upcoming election has already been fixed, with November 18 set as the deadline for candidates to enter the presidential race. The final vote is scheduled to take place four months later at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.

Focus shifts back to the pitch

For players and coaches involved in European international set-ups, the withdrawal of the boycott threat brings badly needed clarity. Along with heavyweights France and Spain, England, Italy, Portugal and tournament hosts Poland can now concentrate fully on the Under-20 Women's World Cup.

After the Under-20 competition, the next FIFA-run fixtures in Europe will be the qualifying play-offs for the 2027 Women's World Cup, to be held from October 9-13. Meanwhile, European qualifiers for the following men's World Cup are not due to begin until 2029.