Gianni Infantino

Gianni Infantino
Infantino in 2026
9th President of FIFA
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 February 2016
Vice PresidentÁngel María Villar
David Chung
Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
Preceded bySepp Blatter
Issa Hayatou (acting)
Personal details
BornGiovanni Vincenzo Infantino
(1970-03-23) 23 March 1970[1]
Brig, Valais, Switzerland
Citizenship
SpouseLeena Al Ashqar
Children4
EducationUniversity of Fribourg (LLB)
Awards
List
Signature

Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino[a] (born 23 March 1970) is a Swiss football administrator who has served as the president of FIFA since 2016. He was previously Secretary General of UEFA from 2009 to 2016, where he formalised the body's financial regulations and oversaw tournament expansion, such as the UEFA Nations League. He has been an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member since 2020.

As president of FIFA, Infantino has overseen three World Cups: the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the 2026 World Cup in North America. He re-launched the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022 to incorporate 32 clubs and introduced the FIFA Series in 2024 to supplement international friendlies. His tenure has seen a significant commercial expansion, technological development, and growth in international football. Infantino's career has generated controversy over his leadership directives, financial contracts, and public statements at both UEFA and FIFA.

Early life and education

Infantino was born on 23 March 1970 in Brig, Switzerland.[2][3] He is a son of immigrant parents from the Italian regions of Calabria and Lombardy.[2][4] Owing to his father, an Inter Milan supporter who attended the club's European Cup finals in the 1960s, Infantino was introduced to this football club during his childhood; the very first football match his father took him to see as a child was an Inter match at San Siro.[5] During his youth, his footballing heroes became Alessandro Altobelli and Evaristo Beccalossi.[6] Infantino studied law at the University of Fribourg.[7] He began his management career as the Secretary General of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) at the University of Neuchâtel during the late-1990s to 2000.[2]

Career at UEFA

Infantino started working with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in August 2000 and was appointed as the Director of UEFA's Legal Affairs and Club Licensing Division in January 2004.[2] The Panama Papers indicated that, while a senior legal official at UEFA, he had co-signed a television-rights contract with a company subsequently linked to defendants in the United States investigation into FIFA corruption, a relationship UEFA had previously denied. Infantino said that he was "dismayed" by the reports and stated that he had never personally dealt with the indicted parties.[8] Infantino became Deputy General Secretary of UEFA in 2007 and Secretary General of UEFA in October 2009.[2][9]

During his time there, UEFA introduced Financial Fair Play and improved commercial support to smaller national associations.[9] Infantino oversaw the expansion of UEFA Euro 2016 to 24 teams,[10] and played a role in the conception of the UEFA Nations League and the UEFA Euro 2020, which was intended to take place in 13 European nations before the number was reduced to 11.[11]

In 2015, the Greek government decided to introduce a new sports law in response to a scandal and acts of violence and corruption, mainly in Greek football. As UEFA's general secretary, Infantino led the negotiations with the Greek government and supported the Hellenic Football Federation's warning to Greece that it faced suspension from international football for interference.[12][13]

Career at FIFA

Governance

2015–2016

Infantino was elected FIFA president after the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress.

Alongside his career at UEFA, Infantino was a member of FIFA's Reform Committee.[14] In 2015, he received the backing of the UEFA Executive Committee to stand for the position of president in the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress. On the same day, he confirmed his candidacy and submitted the required declarations of support.[15] He promised to expand the FIFA World Cup to forty teams.[16] On 26 February 2016, Infantino was elected FIFA President for a period of three years.[17] Infantino, dual Swiss-Italian citizen at the time, became the first Italian to hold the Presidency of FIFA.

Infantino with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 68th FIFA Congress, 13 June 2018

In July 2016, the investigatory chamber of FIFA's ethics committee opened an examination into whether Infantino had breached the FIFA Code of Ethics.[18][19] The chamber concluded that no violation had occurred.[19][18] Infantino was the subject of criminal proceedings in Switzerland concerning undisclosed meetings he held with the Attorney General of Switzerland Michael Lauber and the Valais prosecutor Rinaldo Arnold in 2016 and 2017, while Lauber's office was investigating corruption in international football.[20]

2017–2019

In March 2017, Infantino criticised the United States' travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations. He said, "When it comes to FIFA competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup. That is obvious."[21]

In May 2017, Infantino dismissed the independent chairmen of FIFA's Ethics Committee, Cornel Borbély and Hans-Joachim Eckert, while they were reportedly investigating his conduct.[22] In November 2018, documents leaked to Der Spiegel revealed Infantino secretly intervened to rewrite FIFA's code of ethics, restricting preliminary investigations and instituting a 10-year statute of limitations on historical corruption.[23]

Infantino was re-elected as FIFA President during the 69th FIFA Congress on 5 June 2019 as the only candidate.[24] In July 2019, Infantino expanded the FIFA Women's World Cup from 24 to 32 teams, starting with the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and doubling the tournament's prize money following the success of the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups, which after increasing from 16 to 24 teams set an attendance record for all non World Cup FIFA competitions.[25][26][27] At the same time, Infantino faced severe backlash both at the 2019 Women's World Cup over unequal prize money that prompted stadium-wide chants of "Equal pay!", and later ahead of the 2023 tournament due to his remarks telling women to "pick the right battles" and "convince us men" to achieve equality.[28]

Infantino repeatedly warned the Iranian Football Federation and Islamic Republic of Iran authorities about Iranian women's rights.[29] In September 2019, Infantino stated: "Our position is clear and firm. Women have to be allowed into football stadiums in Iran. Now is the moment to change things."[30]

2020–2024

In 2020, Infantino joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC).[31] He was elected with 63 in favour and 13 against, and this ended FIFA's five-year absence from the IOC.[32]

Infantino unsuccessfully lobbied for a biennial World Cup in 2021, but retreated in March 2022 after fierce opposition from UEFA and major domestic leagues over player welfare and financial concerns.[33] Following the announcement of the European Super League, Infantino condemned the proposal during an address at the 2021 UEFA Congress. Referring to both the breakaway competition and the participating clubs' intention to remain in their domestic leagues, he stated: "If some elect to go their own way then they must live with the consequences of their choice, they are responsible for their choice. Concretely this means, either you are in, or you are out."[34]

In 2022, Infantino expanded FIFA's Club World Cup from a seven-team annual event to a quadrennial, 32-team tournament with a $1 billion prize pool and a new trophy on which Infantino's name is engraved twice, describing him as the competition's "founding president".[35]

In 2023, the FIFA Council ruled Infantino's first three years in office did not count towards the 12-year term limit, legally allowing him to remain president until 2031.[36]

A 2024 human rights report by FairSquare criticised Infantino for operating a "system of patronage" that reversed 2016 anti-corruption governance reforms, specifically by expanding the number of standing committees from nine to 35.[37]

2025–present

During a FIFA Council meeting on 5 March 2025, Infantino stated that the FIFA Women's World Cup would be expanded to 48 teams. Infantino emphasised that the expansion would help more FIFA members develop their women's programs as a result of tournament participation.[38] During the European Football Clubs general assembly on 9 October 2025, Infantino reportedly told the delegates to "keep an open mind" about scheduling the FIFA World Cup, which has traditionally been held during European summer during June to August, to winter months stating that limiting the tournament's scheduling would prevent the globalisation of football as the current scheduling is too hot to play in some countries.[39]

Infantino with US President Donald Trump in 2019

In November 2025, Infantino introduced the FIFA Peace Prize, with US President Donald Trump receiving the inaugural award in Washington, D.C., in December 2025.[40][41] The award and its recipient drew criticism, given that Trump expressed dismay for not being awarded that year's Nobel Peace Prize.[42] Later in July 2026, reports stated that Trump was considering Infantino as his preferred candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.[43][44]

In June 2026, the former UEFA president Michel Platini filed a criminal complaint in France against FIFA and Infantino, alleging influence-peddling to prevent Platini from succeeding Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.[45]

Under Infantino, FIFA's revenues have more than doubled; for the 2027–2030 cycle the organisation is projected to generate $14 billion, of which $2.7 billion, or about 20%, is to be redistributed to national associations through the FIFA Forward development programme.[35] The number of FIFA committees has grown from seven to thirty-five under Infantino.[35] From 2016 to 2026, Infantino quadrupled grants to member associations.[46]

In July 2026, Infantino proposed plans to sell a minority stake of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed event management company – frequently labeled as "stake in the World Cup" – to private investors,[47] causing a fracture within the football world.[48] The Times reported that Infantino could become FFE's commissioner after his FIFA presidency ends in 2031, with compensation potentially comparable to the reported annual salary of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, estimated at around $64 million.[49] Infantino's proposal was ultimately discontinued after opposition and boycott threats from multiple football associations.[50][51][52] The proposed FFE prompted an emergency governance meeting in Morocco over Infantino's leadership of FIFA and his planned 2027 re-election bid.[53] Infantino later travelled to Colombia and the Dominican Republic to shore up support for his re-election campaign,[54] drawing criticism from some CONCACAF members over his Caribbean meetings.[55]

In August 2026, amid the governance crisis over the FFE and threats of funding cuts to member associations,[56][57] the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) officially announced it would withdraw its support for Infantino's 2027 re-election campaign.[58] Conversely, several former players, including FIFA Legends members and former Argentina and Inter Milan players,[59] such as Esteban Cambiasso, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi, Javier Pastore, Christian Vieri, and Javier Zanetti,[60] signed a joint letter publicly endorsing Infantino, praising his decade-long efforts in increasing player representation within FIFA's decision-making committees.[61] On 27 August, UEFA declared a loss of confidence in Infantino, demanding his resignation and a change in leadership; the governing body also announced it was preparing to bring criminal claims against Infantino in Switzerland, accusing him of "criminal mismanagement" over the failed FFE plan,[62] while filing a discovery request in a US District Court to access FIFA documents deemed "probative".[63][64][65]

Tournaments

Infantino with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and football manager Carlo Ancelotti in 2026

Infantino described the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the "best World Cup ever", despite the controversial host selection of Russia.[66][67][68] When questioned about abuses suffered by migrant workers involved in preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Infantino said that migrant workers were given work and pay and were proud to contribute to constructing the stadiums.[69] Infantino also charged Western countries with "hypocrisy" for criticising Qatar on moral grounds in relation to issues regarding human rights related to migrant workers, LGBTQ individuals, and women.[70] In an hour-long monologue, he told reporters: "What we Europeans have been doing for the last 3,000 years, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons."[71]

Before the 2022 World Cup, Infantino defended Qatar's human rights record in a heavily criticised speech, stating "Today I feel Qatari... Today I feel gay... Today I feel a migrant worker."[72] Simultaneously, FIFA threatened yellow cards against European captains wearing the pro-LGBTQ+ "OneLove" armband, which was defended by Infantino.[73] Infantino has faced criticism for his extensive use of a private jet provided by Qatar during the tournament, emitting an estimated 300–500 metric tons (300–490 long tons; 330–550 short tons) of carbon dioxide.[74][75][76]

In July 2026, it was reported that US President Donald Trump had controversially called Infantino and asked FIFA to review the red card issued to United States forward Folarin Balogun during the match between United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.[77] FIFA subsequently suspended Balogun's automatic one-match ban but Infantino denied there was political interference, stating the disciplinary committee was fully independent.[78][79] That month, La Liga president Javier Tebas publicly called for Infantino's resignation, accusing him of "destroying the football industry" through the continual expansion of international tournaments at the expense of domestic leagues.[80]

Infantino with Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman and Donald Trump, 2025

Infantino had unexpectedly sped up the bid process for the 2030 FIFA World Cup to effectively ensure that the two bids for 2030 and 2034 would effectively be single bids for Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.[81] Infantino supported expanding this World Cup to 64 teams, arguing that smaller nations should have more opportunities to participate.[82]

In line with a long-standing relationship with the Saudi regime,[83] Infantino announced that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.[84] He had urged the AFC to fully support and unite around the Saudi bid, discouraging other AFC members from submitting their own bids.[85] The process was criticised by human-rights organisations and figures within football, and commentators noted that it coincided with Saudi-linked financing of Infantino's expanded Club World Cup.[86][18]

Management style

According to The New Yorker, former colleagues have described Infantino as maintaining tight personal control over FIFA; one former council member said "he decides everything by himself."[35] Infantino's Instagram account, with 4.2 million followers and a restricted comments section, functions as FIFA's principal public-messaging channel.[35] He has described FIFA as "the official happiness provider to humanity".[35] In a 887-word statement in 2026, Infantino criticised sports journalism in world football calling critics of his FIFA tenure "hypocritical" and counter-productive.[87][88]

As a lifelong supporter of Inter,[89][90] Infantino is often seen celebrating the club's milestones, such as the 2026 scudetto.[91][92] His public alignment with Inter and subsequent comments have drawn criticism regarding his neutrality as the FIFA president.[5] In a controversial March 2018 interview prior to the Derby della Madonnina with AC Milan, he stated that Inter's history is "a beautiful one that has moved millions of people" and that it is "a slightly crazy team that makes us suffer", and added that it is "perhaps also thanks to being an Inter fan that I went on to become the FIFA president".[5] In April 2022, Infantino sparked controversy and faced backlash from Juventus supporters after jokingly celebrating a Juventus defeat and an Inter victory, stating it was the "ideal day" because "Fiorentina won and Juventus lost", before adding that "Inter also won, so I am happy too".[5]

Personal life

Infantino is married to Leena Al Ashqar from Lebanon through whom he holds Lebanese citizenship.[93][94] The couple have four children.[3] Infantino speaks French, German, and Italian as mother tongues, and also speaks Arabic, English, Portuguese and Spanish.[3] Since October 2021, he has spent time in Doha, Qatar, where he rents a house and where two of his children attend school.[95] He moved his official residency to Zug, Switzerland, in June 2022.[96]

Honours and awards

Honours

Distinctions

References

  1. ↑ Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni vinˈtʃɛntso ˈdʒanni iɱfanˈtiːno]ⓘ
  1. ↑ "Gianni Infantino". FIFA. 2020. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gianni Infantino". UEFA. 8 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "The President – Gianni Infantino". FIFA. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  4. ↑ "Infantino, l'avvocato di origini calabresi che tifava Inter". Sportmediaset (in Italian). 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Schirru, Francesco (4 April 2022). "Per quale squadra tifa Infantino, presidente della FIFA?". Goal.com Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Infantino presidente Fifa: ecco l'ex re dei sorteggi che amava Altobelli". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 26 February 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "Everything you need to know about Gianni Infantino, the new Fifa president". The Guardian. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "What were Gianni Infantino's goals and what controversies has he faced as FIFA president?". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  9. 1 2 "UEFA Executive Committee supports UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino for FIFA presidency". UEFA. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  10. ↑ Borden, Sam (24 February 2016). "In FIFA Pitch, Gianni Infantino Pushes Expansion and Continuity". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "Thirteen cities to host UEFA EURO 2020". UEFA. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  12. ↑ "UEFA & FIFA warn Greece over government's planned new football laws |thetoc.gr". The TOC In English. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  13. ↑ Nicholson, Paul. "Exclusive: Infantino fires second warning shot to Greece over football law proposal – Inside World Football". insideworldfootball.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "FIFA Committees – 2016 FIFA Reform Committee – FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  15. ↑ "Statement from UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino". UEFA. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "Gianni Infantino to expand World Cup to 40 teams if elected Fifa president". The Guardian. Associated Press. 10 November 2015. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Gianni Infantino elected FIFA President". FIFA.com. 26 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 "Reformer or ringleader: A decade on, what is Infantino's legacy as FIFA president?". ESPN. June 2026. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Infantino's FIFA: Ten years of power, politics, and so-called ethics". Play the Game. 7 May 2026. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  20. ↑ "Parliament denies under-fire Swiss Attorney General immunity". SWI swissinfo.ch. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Donald Trump travel ban could prevent USA from hosting 2026 World Cup". The Independent. 9 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  22. ↑ Conn, David (18 June 2017). "Gianni Infantino faced investigation by Fifa ethics committee for alleged malpractice". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "FIFA's Weakened Code of Ethics - President Infantino Intervened Personally". Der Spiegel. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Gianni Infantino is re-elected as FIFA President until 2023". FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  25. ↑ "FIFA President Infantino hails France 2019, outlines proposals for future of women's game". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  26. ↑ "Key figures from the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  27. ↑ "FIFA Council unanimously approves expanded 32-team field for FIFA Women's World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 31 July 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  28. ↑ "'It's so patronising': Gianni Infantino criticised for comments on women ahead of World Cup final". The Independent. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "هشدار دوباره فیفا به ایران: به زنان باید اجازه حضور در ورزشگاه داده شود". Euronews (in Persian). 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  30. ↑ Johnstone, Lindsey (19 September 2019). "Watch: FIFA tells Iran women must be allowed into stadiums". Euronews. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  31. ↑ "IOC Session elects three new Members". International Olympic Committee. 10 January 2020. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  32. ↑ Grohmann, Karolos (10 January 2020). "Infantino joins IOC as member to end FIFA's five-year absence". Reuters. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  33. ↑ "Overwhelmed By Opposition, Gianni Infantino Says FIFA Never Proposed A Biennial World Cup". The18. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  34. ↑ Panja, Tariq (20 April 2021). "FIFA Tells Super League Clubs: 'You Are In or You Are Out'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Knight, Sam (8 June 2026). "The World Cup According to Gianni Infantino". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 14 July 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Conn, David (20 March 2023). "Gianni Infantino's actions at Fifa remain more dangerous than his words". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  37. ↑ MacInnes, Paul (30 October 2024). "'One big mess': Fifa not fit to govern football, claims human rights group". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  38. ↑ "FIFA Council confirms Women's World Cup expansion". FIFA. 9 May 2025. Archived from the original on 20 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  39. ↑ Ames, Nick (9 October 2025). "Gianni Infantino keeping 'open mind' about moving World Cups from summer". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  40. ↑ Kilpatrick, Dan (5 November 2025). "Gianni Infantino to award FIFA's inaugural peace prize at Washington's World Cup 2026 draw". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 5 November 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  41. ↑ Graham, Bryan Armen; Beaumont, Peter (5 December 2025). "Trump awarded inaugural Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw in Washington". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  42. ↑ Graham, Bryan Armen (5 November 2025). "Trump ally Infantino to award first Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw in DC". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  43. ↑ "Trump's pick for UN chief? Gianni Infantino, reportedly". Euronews. 22 July 2026. Archived from the original on 25 July 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Trump pitches FIFA boss Infantino for UN secretary-general after World Cup: report". The Independent. 22 July 2026. Archived from the original on 25 July 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
  45. ↑ "Gianni Infantino named in criminal complaint on eve of World Cup". The New Republic. June 2026. Archived from the original on 24 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  46. ↑ Slater, Matt (16 July 2026). "What football really thinks of Gianni Infantino (and why he is more powerful than ever)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  47. ↑ Slater, Matt (28 July 2026). "FIFA plans to sell a stake in the World Cup: How much for and why is Gianni Infantino doing it?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 30 July 2026. Retrieved 28 July 2026.
  48. ↑ Russo, Pippo (11 August 2026). "Infantino, un leader azzoppato alla Fifa: la spaccatura è irrimediabile?". Lettera43 (in Italian). Archived from the original on 11 August 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  49. ↑ Ziegler, Martyn (28 July 2026). "Gianni Infantino's plan to sell stakes in the World Cup". The Times. Archived from the original on 30 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
  50. ↑ "Regional confederations left blindsided by FIFA's $20 billion investment plan". Reuters. 29 July 2026.
  51. ↑ Feringa, Megan; Horncastle, James; Crafton, Adam; Burrows, Tom (30 July 2026). "Gianni Infantino's future FIFA leadership questioned during UEFA, Concacaf meetings". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  52. ↑ Hughes, Matt; Ames, Nick (29 July 2026). "Uefa calls emergency meeting as opposition to Fifa plan hardens". The Guardian.
  53. ↑ Crafton, Adam (6 August 2026). "Gianni Infantino fights on as FIFA president after leadership backing. So, what now?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  54. ↑ "FIFA's Infantino backed in Colombia where he attends president inauguration". Al Jazeera. 8 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  55. ↑ Hughes, Matt; Ames, Nick (22 August 2026). "Infantino angers Concacaf nations by hijacking meeting in Caribbean". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  56. ↑ Taidelli, Luca (30 July 2026). "FIFA Chaos: Gianni Infantino's Letter to Federations". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  57. ↑ Ricci, Filippo Maria (23 August 2026). "Infantino: From BBC Quip to Tournament Snub, FIFA Battle Rages". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  58. ↑ Licari, Fabio (26 August 2026). "Infantino, la FIGC ritira il sostegno al presidente della FIFA". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  59. ↑ "Javier Zanetti e Infantino, da interista a interista: lo spot per il presidente Fifa scatena i social". Tuttosport (in Italian). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  60. ↑ Riggio, Salvatore (26 August 2026). "Zanetti, Cambiasso e Pastore firmano una lettera di appoggio a Infantino". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  61. ↑ "Elezioni Fifa: Zanetti, Cambiasso, Cannavaro, Materazzi e Vieri a sostegno di Infantino". Sportmediaset (in Italian). 26 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  62. ↑ Austin, Daniel (27 August 2026). "Gianni Infantino: Uefa pursuing criminal legal proceedings against Fifa president". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  63. ↑ Rumsby, Ben (27 August 2026). "Uefa to bring criminal claims against Gianni Infantino". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  64. ↑ Pinci, Matteo (27 August 2026). "La Uefa vuole denunciare Infantino: pronta l'azione penale in Svizzera". La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  65. ↑ Ames, Nick; Abnos, Alexander (27 August 2026). "Uefa preparing to bring criminal claims against Gianni Infantino over World Cup sale". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
  66. ↑ "WATCH: Vladimir Putin gives FIFA president Gianni Infantino a medal after World Cup praise". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
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  68. ↑ Alabaster, Olivia (14 June 2018). "Peter Tatchell detained in Moscow over LGBT+ protest". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  69. ↑ "Infantino on Qatar: Migrant workers get pride from hard work". AP News. 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  70. ↑ Mulvenney, Nick (19 November 2022). "FIFA chief accuses critics of Qatar of hypocrisy ahead of World Cup". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  71. ↑ Church, Ben (19 November 2022). "Explosive tirade from FIFA boss threatens to overshadow World Cup opener". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  72. ↑ Ingle, Sean (19 November 2022). "'I feel gay, disabled … like a woman too!': Infantino makes bizarre attack on critics". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  73. ↑ "World Cup 2022: Gianni Infantino defends FIFA's stance on the 'OneLove' armband". Planet Sport. 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
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  77. ↑ "FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US-Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump". CNA. Archived from the original on 5 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
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  79. ↑ "FIFA's Infantino targeted by complaint to Olympic ethics body after Trump lobbying on Balogun ban". www.pbs.org. Archived from the original on 9 July 2026. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  80. ↑ "Tebas: Infantino should resign for 'destroying the football industry'". AP News. 21 July 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
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