Story perspectives

England’s Lucy Bronze Backs UEFA Boycott of FIFA Events

8/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

England defender Lucy Bronze said players would back a UEFA boycott of FIFA events.
She said it before Chelsea’s friendly at Eden Park on Saturday.
Bronze called the boycott “the right thing” for football’s future, though it could miss tournaments.
UEFA said the boycott threat remains despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s apology, that guarantees of no similar proposals are still unmet, and the Under-20 Women’s World Cup 5 September in Poland could test it.

History

Historical Context

In 2017 the Denmark women’s national team struck for two months, prompting the DBU to sign a new CBA that added a 2 million-kroner investment boost. Lucy Bronze’s 2024 call for a UEFA boycott mirrors that protest, demanding fair pay and governance. The late-2010s wave of strikes—including Australia (2015) and the United States (2016)—has pressured FIFA and UEFA to rethink tournament policies.

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Story summary

England defender Lucy Bronze said players would back a UEFA boycott of FIFA events.
She said it before Chelsea’s friendly at Eden Park on Saturday.
Bronze called the boycott “the right thing” for football’s future, though it could miss tournaments.
UEFA said the boycott threat remains despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s apology, that guarantees of no similar proposals are still unmet, and the Under-20 Women’s World Cup 5 September in Poland could test it.

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