Gianni Infantino: The most powerful man in world football

Gianni Infantino has retained his position as president of FIFA following a closed-door meeting in Rabat on Wednesday, despite intense pressure, particularly from European football authorities. The crisis arose over plans by world football's governing body to sell parts of its business related to the men’s World Cup to private investors. Infantino, who has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, faced calls for his removal amid growing concerns about the organization’s governance and financial practices. Infantino was born on March 23, 1970, in Brig, Switzerland, to Italian parents. He has spoken publicly about experiencing discrimination during his childhood due to his Italian heritage. After studying law at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, he joined the International Centre for Sports Studies at the University of Neuchâtel in 1997 as general secretary. His career took him to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in 2000, where he rose through the ranks to become general secretary in 2009. Before becoming FIFA president, Infantino worked extensively within UEFA under former president Michel Platini. Although he remained largely behind the scenes, he became familiar to many European football fans through his role in broadcasting major events such as the Champions League draw and Euro qualifiers. His visibility increased significantly after the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, which led to the arrest of several officials and forced then-president Sepp Blatter to resign. The path to FIFA presidency opened with the 2015 corruption scandal. Following the arrests of multiple officials ahead of the presidential election congress in Zurich, Blatter initially won re-election but stepped down shortly thereafter. This prompted FIFA to hold an extraordinary congress in February 2016. Initially considered an outsider, Infantino entered the race against former UEFA boss Michel Platini, who withdrew just months before the vote after both were suspended by the ethics committee over a controversial payment. Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain was seen as a favorite among the seven candidates in the days leading up to the vote. However, Infantino ultimately secured victory in the second round. He campaigned on promises to reform the scandal-ridden federation and increase payments to member associations. “We will restore the reputation and respect for FIFA,” he told delegates at the Zurich hall. “The whole world will applaud us for what we achieve in the future.” Under Infantino’s leadership, FIFA has achieved record revenues in the past decade. The 2026 World Cup, the first with 48 teams and 104 matches, marked a peak in earnings. Four years earlier, the tournament in Qatar featured 32 teams and 64 games. The expanded field inevitably led to higher income, compounded by dynamic pricing for tickets, which caused sharp increases in costs. Additionally, FIFA entered the secondary ticket market, collecting 15 percent from both buyers and sellers on each transaction. Final figures for these earnings will be published in FIFA’s annual report for 2026. They are expected to surpass the approximately $5.8 billion generated in 2022. Infantino recently estimated the amount could nearly double. Controversy surrounded Infantino during the World Cup, particularly regarding his travel for match visits across the United States. Environmental organizations criticized the carbon footprint associated with his frequent flights. These criticisms added to ongoing scrutiny of his leadership style and decision-making processes. Infantino’s tenure has been marked by both unprecedented financial success and persistent challenges. As FIFA continues to navigate complex issues surrounding governance and commercial interests, his ability to maintain support amidst criticism will remain crucial. The recent reaffirmation of confidence by FIFA’s executive committee underscores the importance of his role in steering the organization through turbulent times.