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Chelsea and England Women right back Lucy Bronze has publicly voiced her backing of UEFA's boycott of all FIFA international competitions, firmly declaring it's "for the future of the game."
European football's governing body took a strong stand against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who sought to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors. The 56-year-old abandoned his proposal following widespread backlash, yet continues to face criticism even after FIFA issued a surprising statement endorsing his leadership.
UEFA's 55 member associations doubled down on their position and reaffirmed their "lost confidence" in Infantino, a sentiment that has spread across the world of football. Bronze is the latest figure to speak out in favor of a boycott, even if it means potentially missing next summer's Women's World Cup — which would have been her fourth appearance with the senior squad.
"The message that we stand by … is 'for the good of the game,'" Bronze told the New Zealand Herald ahead of Chelsea's preseason friendly against Auckland FC.
"The players who compete in those tournaments, the European players, we stand by our convictions and what we believe is right for our sport. If that means boycotting competitions, then that's what needs to happen.
"It's for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow; it's for all the young girls and boys who come after us to ensure they're in a good position as the sport progresses over the decades ahead, not just in the near term."
How UEFA's Boycott Impacts Women's Soccer
UEFA was explicit in its latest statement to FIFA: "UEFA's associations were very clear about the conditions attached to their non participation in FIFA competitions. First, the proposals to sell off the major competitions had to be withdrawn and secondly, assurances have to be made that such attempts to disfigure the game in this way will never be made again.
"These conditions have not been met. In addition, UEFA made it abundantly clear in its statement on Saturday that it has lost confidence in Gianni Infantino's presidency. That position holds."
FIFPRO, the global players' union, also called for "governance reforms" that "make it impossible for any individual, ever again, to push unilateral decisions through the sport."
Until world football's governing body delivers on those demands, upcoming FIFA international tournaments look set to proceed without European participation. First on the calendar is the Women's U-20 World Cup, taking place in Poland throughout September, followed by the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifier playoffs beginning in October.
Should the standoff between FIFA and UEFA persist into next summer, the Women's World Cup could get underway without six of the top 10 teams in FIFA's world rankings: defending champions Spain, European champions England, Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands.