Ten years ago, Gianni Infantino took charge of FIFA at a time when world football’s governing body was drowning in scandal. Corruption investigations, a reported $550m financial hole and the exit of long-time president Sepp Blatter had left the organisation in turmoil.
Infantino, once known mainly for conducting UEFA Champions League draws, promised to “restore the image of Fifa” and channel money back into football.
A decade later, the financial picture looks dramatically different. Fifa expects record revenues of $13bn for the current cycle. Central to that growth has been expansion — a 48-team FIFA World Cup and a revamped, enlarged FIFA Club World Cup.
Through the Fifa Forward programme, billions have been distributed to member associations for infrastructure and development. For many smaller nations, funding has increased significantly, strengthening Infantino’s global support base.
Expansion and controversy
Yet growth has not come quietly. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar marked a turning point in Infantino’s public profile. Facing criticism over workers’ rights, he delivered a widely debated speech defending the host nation and accusing critics of hypocrisy.
Plans for the expanded Club World Cup, staged in the United States, drew resistance from players’ unions concerned about workload. Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup — particularly for the final in New Jersey — have also sparked backlash.
The awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, after a unique multi-continent plan for 2030, further fuelled governance concerns in parts of Europe. Meanwhile, Infantino’s visible closeness to Donald Trump has unsettled some administrators, especially within UEFA.
An impregnable position
Despite criticism, Infantino’s authority remains strong. Re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, he is eligible to stand again in 2027 after a ruling discounted his initial three-year term.
Nearly half of Fifa’s voting power lies in Asia and Africa — regions that have benefited most from increased development funding. For many associations, the financial stability and investment delivered under Infantino outweigh concerns raised elsewhere.
Expansion, commercial ambition and controversy have defined his presidency. But as long as revenues rise and money flows into grassroots football, Infantino’s grip on the global game appears secure.
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