European football's governing body UEFA has stated that European teams could still boycott major competitions, including the World Cup, as FIFA's defense of its president Gianni Infantino does not alter UEFA's stance. The English Football Association (FA) has also withdrawn its support for Infantino.

This development follows a FIFA executive meeting in Morocco where the organization acknowledged "mistakes" regarding a controversial proposal to sell stakes in major tournaments to private investors. The proposal, known as the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), was intended to generate significant revenue but was met with strong criticism from UEFA, which labeled it a "shabby, back room, opaque deal."

UEFA had previously stated it had lost confidence in Infantino's presidency and outlined two conditions for any potential reconciliation: the withdrawal of the FFE proposals and assurances that such attempts to "disfigure the game" would not be repeated. According to UEFA, these conditions have not been met.

The implications of UEFA's continued distrust and the FA's withdrawal of support are significant for Infantino's leadership and FIFA's governance. A boycott by European nations would severely impact the commercial viability and global prestige of tournaments like the World Cup.

Infantino had offered all national associations $40 million (£30 million) in exchange for their backing of the FFE plan, which included investments in both the men's and women's World Cups. FIFA's statement following the meeting indicated that the intention was not for the FIFA Council and member associations to feel excluded and that the process should have been handled differently.

However, UEFA remained unconvinced, asserting in a statement that "Yesterday's announcement that some people employed by the Fifa president (and whose careers depend on his favour) agree with him changes nothing." The European body reiterated its loss of confidence in Infantino's presidency.

Infantino himself had previously apologized for "errors" related to the FFE proposal. Despite the controversy, he appeared to remain in control following the meeting in Rabat, Morocco, summoning FIFA management board members to discuss the recent events.

FIFA's secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, who is considered Infantino's right-hand man, had internally described the FFE proposals as a "sad and reproachable series of events." However, after the meeting, the situation appeared to be smoothed over publicly, with Infantino and Grafstrom reportedly seen together.