Infantino is in trouble: U.S. congressman demands a hearing

Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA since 2016, faces growing scrutiny over his leadership and proposed reforms within world football governance. The controversy has intensified following a decision by UEFA, Europe's governing body, to reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership rights of major tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors. This move could lead to a boycott of all FIFA competitions by UEFA and its 55 member associations, potentially impacting the upcoming men’s and women’s World Cups, as well as club competitions. The dispute centers around a proposal by Infantino to establish a company that would manage commercial rights related to the World Cup, with FIFA retaining an initial 80% ownership stake while private investors would hold 20%. UEFA, led by President Aleksander Čeferin, strongly opposed this plan, arguing that such a shift would fundamentally alter the nature of international football. They emphasized that the World Cup is a global sporting legacy created by players, teams, and fans worldwide, and should not be treated as a financial asset to be sold off to private entities. In a detailed statement released by UEFA, Čeferin criticized the secrecy surrounding the proposal and the lack of consultation with stakeholders who have long been responsible for managing the sport. He described the idea as irresponsible and a failure of FIFA’s leadership, warning that allowing private ownership would prioritize investor interests over the integrity of the game. UEFA stated it would support a boycott of FIFA events unless the proposal was completely withdrawn and FIFA committed to never again opening its management or competitions to private ownership. Infantino’s proposal faced immediate resistance from UEFA, which holds significant influence in global football due to its control over European competitions and its members' participation in World Cup qualification processes. The potential boycott could affect upcoming qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup, scheduled to begin in October. UEFA’s stance has drawn support from other football authorities, including Slovenian Football Association President Radenko Mijatović, who noted that the document outlining the proposal contained ambiguities regarding future relations between FIFA and private partners. Meanwhile, political pressure mounts against Infantino. American Congressman Jamie Raskin, a prominent Democrat, has demanded that Infantino appear before Congress to address alleged ties between FIFA and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Raskin referenced past investigations into FIFA officials involving allegations of bribery and money laundering, which led to convictions in 2015. He accused the Trump administration of abruptly dropping these cases, suggesting a possible quid pro quo arrangement. Raskin highlighted specific instances, including the establishment of a new FIFA award for peace presented to Trump in December 2025 and the rental of space in Trump Tower during the World Cup. He estimated the annual cost of such a space could exceed $600,000, though FIFA used it for only 39 days. Raskin described these actions as attempts to influence Trump’s decisions in favor of FIFA. Another point of contention involves ticket pricing. Raskin cited discrepancies in the cost of World Cup tickets, noting that initial prices for the final were listed at $1,550, but later increased to $33,000. He argued this represented anti-consumer behavior, though federal agencies under Trump did not investigate further. Local authorities in New York and New Jersey launched their own inquiries into ticket sales practices. Infantino has yet to respond publicly to Raskin’s demands, which include a list of all values, gifts, awards, public appearances, rentals, or benefits provided to Trump, his administration, family members, or associated companies. The deadline for a response is August 9. While the White House dismissed Raskin’s claims, emphasizing Trump’s role in ensuring the success of the World Cup, the issue remains unresolved. The situation highlights deepening divisions within global football governance, with UEFA challenging FIFA’s direction and political figures scrutinizing its leadership. As November approaches, the outcome of U.S. congressional elections could determine whether Raskin gains the authority to pursue legal action against Infantino. Meanwhile, the potential for a UEFA-led boycott looms large, threatening the structure and organization of international football competitions.