Another problem for Gianni Infantino: World Cup host cities are demanding a million-dollar payment from FIFA

Gianni Infantino, president of the Football Association (FIFA), faces another controversy as host cities of the 2026 World Cup demand millions in payments from the organization. This latest issue adds to a growing list of challenges for the Swiss-Italian leader, who has already faced criticism over his plans to purchase future World Cup rights and his efforts to secure support ahead of potential re-election. The situation emerged after Infantino announced a proposal to allocate one million dollars to each of the 11 American cities hosting matches during the 2026 World Cup. The contribution was described as a legacy fund aimed at supporting infrastructure projects and social initiatives. However, shortly after this announcement, several U.S. host cities questioned whether they would receive similar financial backing for their participation in the 2025 Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States. According to reports from The New York Times, four executives from the organizing committees of these cities stated that while FIFA officials repeatedly assured them of continued funding, there had been no official confirmation or public statement regarding such commitments. The cities in question include Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York-New Jersey, Miami, and Boston, each of which played a role in hosting major international football events. The uncertainty surrounding the promised funds has led some organizing committees to dissolve their operational offices following the completion of the 2025 tournament. This move has complicated efforts to determine which entities might ultimately benefit from any potential payments. Meanwhile, the cities have begun preparing financial reports for their jurisdictions, yet remain unclear on whether these payments should be included in their budgets. The lack of clarity has sparked frustration among local authorities overseeing the tournaments. Two city representatives told New York Post that it was difficult to understand how FIFA, a global organization with revenues exceeding $15 billion between 2023 and 2026, could delay or avoid fulfilling relatively small financial obligations to cities that helped maximize its profits through hosting events. Infantino’s administration has not publicly addressed the concerns raised by the host cities, despite repeated assurances given during meetings. Some members of the organizing committees claim that these promises were made verbally by senior FIFA officials, though no formal documentation exists to confirm such agreements. This ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of managing large-scale international sporting events, particularly when financial expectations and commitments are not clearly defined. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the unresolved issue could further strain relations between FIFA and its host cities, adding to the mounting pressures facing Infantino.