England U20 women's head coach Lydia Bedford has publicly addressed the uncertainty surrounding the team's participation in the upcoming Under-20 Women's World Cup. Amidst reports of a potential boycott by UEFA member nations due to an ongoing conflict with FIFA, Bedford stated that she received a phone call from her father regarding the news, prompting her to seek clarification on the team's status.

Despite the speculation, Bedford confirmed that she has been advised by officials to proceed with her standard training and tournament preparations. The situation remains fluid, as the broader dispute between European football's governing body and FIFA continues to create potential complications for international competitions. While Bedford is focused on the immediate task of coaching, the underlying political tension between the two governing bodies has cast a shadow over the tournament's logistics. As of now, there has been no official confirmation of a withdrawal, and the England squad is operating under the assumption that the event will proceed as scheduled.