FIFA had yet to confirm on Friday whether Infantino would attend the opening matches, according to Reuters. Around 15,000 spectators are expected for the opening-day fixtures in Katowice, where hosts Poland face Argentina before Mexico meet tournament debutants Benin.
The uncertainty over Infantino’s presence comes at a particularly sensitive moment for world football. The Poland tournament will be the first major FIFA competition staged since a fierce governance dispute erupted over Infantino’s controversial proposal to create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The proposed venture would have transferred commercial rights connected to major FIFA competitions—including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup—to a new subsidiary. Outside investors were reportedly expected to pay about $4.2 billion for a stake, valuing the business at roughly $20 billion. Infantino abandoned the proposal on July 31 following intense opposition from UEFA and other football stakeholders.
UEFA pressure has not disappeared
Although the immediate threat of a European boycott has eased, the dispute surrounding Infantino has continued.
UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions following the controversy, putting the participation of European teams at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in jeopardy. The European governing body subsequently backed away from the boycott threat, allowing the tournament to proceed with its European participants.
But UEFA’s broader challenge to Infantino’s leadership remains.
Reuters reported this week that FIFA accused UEFA of conducting a campaign against the organization and its president. At the same time, UEFA and other confederations have continued pushing for institutional reforms and greater limits on presidential authority.
Infantino, meanwhile, has indicated that he intends to seek a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. He is facing growing opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, although he continues to retain significant support in other parts of the football world.
Poland tournament becomes bigger than football
Despite the political drama surrounding FIFA, the tournament itself represents an important opportunity for women’s football.
The 24-team competition runs from September 5 through September 27, with matches being played in Katowice, Bielsko-Biała, Łódź and Sosnowiec. The final will be held in Łódź.
The tournament features six debutants: Poland, Benin, Ecuador, New Caledonia, Portugal and Tanzania. Four former champions—Japan, Korea DPR, Spain and the United States—are also in the field.
The group-stage draw produced several intriguing matchups:
- Group A: Poland, Mexico, Argentina, Benin
- Group B: Brazil, England, Canada, Tanzania
- Group C: France, Korea Republic, Ghana, Ecuador
- Group D: Japan, United States, New Zealand, Italy
- Group E: Korea DPR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal
- Group F: Spain, Nigeria, China PR, New Caledonia
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-place teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
A crucial proving ground for future stars
The U-20 Women’s World Cup is also viewed as an important development tournament, with many of its players potentially progressing to senior international football.
FIFA has described the competition as a showcase for the next generation of women’s football stars, while the expanded 24-team field reflects the sport’s growing global reach.
For Poland, meanwhile, the event marks the country’s first major global women’s football tournament. The country previously hosted the men’s U-20 World Cup in 2019.
All eyes on the opening whistle—and Infantino
The football itself could ultimately overshadow the political tensions, but Infantino’s whereabouts are likely to remain a talking point as the tournament begins.
The FIFA president has remained highly visible since the collapse of the FFE proposal, attending major football-related events including the Esports World Cup in Paris and the ASEAN Championship final in Vietnam. Yet FIFA had still not confirmed his attendance at Saturday’s opening matches in Poland as of Friday.
That makes his possible appearance more than a ceremonial question. With pressure from powerful football organizations continuing and his bid for another FIFA term approaching, Poland could become an important early test of how Infantino navigates the next chapter of the governance battle.
For the young players taking the field, however, the objective is simpler: win a world title and put their names on the global stage.
And on Saturday, the football finally takes center stage.
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