Infantino Attendance Uncertain at Poland U-20 World Cup

FIFA could not confirm whether President Gianni Infantino would attend Saturday’s opening matches of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Katowice, Poland, where about 15,000 spectators are expected. The 24-team tournament runs through Sept. 27 and begins with Poland facing Argentina and Mexico playing Benin. It is FIFA’s first major competition since Infantino abandoned a proposal to place commercial rights for competitions including the World Cup and Club World Cup into a new subsidiary, with outside investors potentially paying $4.2 billion for a 20% stake. The plan drew strong opposition from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which have since criticized Infantino and called for an alternative to his planned bid for a fourth term in 2027. Despite the dispute, Infantino has maintained a high public profile at international football events, while the tournament remains an important development pathway for women’s players seeking future senior World Cup opportunities.