Lucy Bronze backs UEFA boycott of FIFA: ‘For the good of the game’

Lucy Bronze, Chelsea and England right-back, has publicly backed UEFA’s threatened boycott of FIFA competitions, warning that the move could safeguard the future of the game. Speaking before a friendly in New Zealand, the 2020 FIFA The Best winner told reporters that such a protest would send a strong message and ultimately benefit football.

UEFA’s stance and FIFA’s retreat

UEFA has warned it will boycott FIFA tournaments at all levels unless FIFA abandons plans for a new commercial subsidiary, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would open parts of FIFA competitions to private investors. Gianni Infantino has since shelved the project, but UEFA has not ruled out the boycott entirely. If enacted, the protest would directly affect women’s football, with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco scheduled for September and October respectively, followed by the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.

Bronze’s call for principled action

Bronze, who has won three World Cups with England and captained the side in qualifiers, framed the boycott as a principled stand for the sport’s integrity. “The message we defend is ‘for the good of the game,’” she said at a press conference. “Players who compete in these competitions, the European players, we defend our beliefs and what is right for the game. If that means boycotting competitions, then that needs to be done.”

Consequences for European heavyweights

The threatened boycott would prevent European nations—including current world champions Spain, Germany, France and Denmark—from participating in the 2027 Women’s World Cup if they had already qualified. Bronze emphasized the move was not about short-term gains but about securing the long-term future for younger generations. “It’s for the future of the game, not just for me today and tomorrow,” she said. “It’s for the girls and boys coming after us to be sure they are in a good position for the future of the sport over the next decades.”

England’s pathway to 2026

Bronze, 34, remains a key figure for England, having made her senior debut in 2013 and captained the team in recent qualifiers. She is expected to be in Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup playoffs, to be played between October and December 2026. The playoffs feature 32 European teams including the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy.