France set to take part in U20 Women’s World Cup

France say they are still planning to compete in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup next month despite a threat from Uefa to boycott Fifa competitions.

It is not known whether England will play or not, with the Football Association unable to provide a comment when asked by BBC Sport if the team will take part in the tournament in Poland, which is due to start in 29 days.

After Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced a plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors, European football’s 55 member associations voted to boycott all Fifa competitions until the proposals were dropped.

The plans have since been aborted – with Infantino apologising for his “errors”.

In a statement on Thursday, Uefa said the boycott could still go ahead, but when contacted by BBC Sport the French Football Federation (FFF) said its plans for the tournament had not changed.

“For now, France will be participating to the Fifa U20 Women World Cup,” it said.

Six European teams – England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and hosts Poland – are scheduled to play in the tournament.

Women’s football would be the first to be significantly impacted if Uefa’s stance is upheld:

5 September: Women’s Under-20 World Cup due to start.
October: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland all have qualifiers for next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
October: The Under-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Morocco.
June 2027: Should they not feature in the play-offs because of Uefa’s boycott, European teams – including defending champions Spain – would not be able to participate in the Women’s World Cup.

Uefa boycott right thing for future of game – Bronze

Lucy Bronze looking on in an England kit — Lucy Bronze is a two-time European champion with England [Getty Images]

England defender Lucy Bronze says a Uefa boycott of Fifa competitions would be the “right thing” for the future of the game, despite the impact it could have on women’s football.

“I think the players who play in those competitions, the European players, we stand by our beliefs and what the right thing is for our game,” said Bronze, who was speaking in New Zealand on Chelsea’s pre-season tour.

“And if that means boycotting competitions, then that has to happen.

“It’s for the future of the game and not just for me today and tomorrow.

“It’s for all the little girls or little boys who come after us to make sure that they’re in a good place when the game’s moving forward in decades to come, not just tomorrow.”

Speaking to BBC Sport last week, former England defender Anita Asante said: “The first casualties will be women’s football tournaments.

“If this isn’t resolved by the time of England’s qualifiers, then the impact could be huge and it is already a busy schedule.”

Baroness Campbell, former Football Association director of women’s football, said it was “tragic” that women’s football could be first to be affected.

The English FA has sent a letter withdrawing its support for Infantino, while Wales, Albania and Croatia are among other individual associations to have turned their back on the 56-year-old.

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