2026 World Cup: Champions, Records & Final Standings

UEFA boycott persists despite Infantino's U-turn. As of August 6, all 55 UEFA member associations confirmed their boycott of FIFA competitions remains in force — even after President Gianni Infantino formally withdrew his FIFA Forward Enterprise privatisation plan. UEFA said Infantino's reversal does not meet its core condition: written guarantees that World Cup commercial rights will never again be offered to private investors. Infantino reportedly secured backing from CAF and CONMEBOL leadership at an early-August meeting in Morocco, deepening the confederation split rather than resolving it. (NPR / Al Jazeera, August 6)

Figo, federations intensify calls for Infantino to go. Portugal great Luís Figo has joined an expanding chorus demanding Gianni Infantino's resignation, alongside Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness, who called publicly for him to step down. Multiple European federations — including Wales and Finland — have reportedly begun withdrawing endorsement letters for Infantino's planned fourth-term campaign at the March 2027 FIFA Congress in Rabat. UEFA retains the numbers to trigger an extraordinary congress by securing just 43 of FIFA's 211 member associations to submit a written request; a simple majority would then suffice to remove him. (ESPN / Goal.com / CNN, August 8)

Women's WC 2027 qualifying enters the crossfire. Europe's 11 places in the 32-team 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil are at growing risk if the UEFA–FIFA standoff remains unresolved by autumn. UEFA qualifying play-offs are scheduled for October 7–13 (Round 1) and late November (Round 2), with 32 nations competing for seven automatic berths plus one inter-confederation play-off slot. Spain, France, Germany and Denmark have already qualified directly; the remaining European spots could be forfeited if UEFA participation in FIFA competitions is still suspended when the play-offs kick off. (UEFA.com / Wikipedia)