The latest edition of FIFA’s public‑affairs newsletter arrived on Monday with an unexpected omission: the face of its chief architect, Gianni Infantino, was nowhere to be seen. The silence sparked a flurry of speculation among insiders, who wondered whether the president was deliberately staying out of the spotlight after a series of bruising controversies.
Infantino has held the FIFA presidency since 2016, a tenure marked by a dramatic expansion of the organization’s financial reach. Grants to member associations have quadrupled, and the federation now budgets $13 billion for the four‑year cycle that culminates in this World Cup. For many national federations, those handouts constitute at least three‑quarters of their annual income, binding them tightly to Infantino’s leadership.
Criticism has not been limited to the financial sphere. UEFA and several European national associations have voiced moral indignation over what they perceive as Infantino’s political meddling, from his cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin to the decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia. The episode involving Folarin Balogun’s suspended suspension briefly turned into a flashpoint, yet the controversy fizzled quickly outside Europe.
Continental Backing and Political Ties
Nevertheless, Infantino enjoys firm backing from three key confederations — Africa, Asia and South America — and has secured the public vote of the English Football Association, even as that body wrestles with disputes over the global match calendar. The FIFA Peace Prize awarded to former U.S. president Donald Trump, a clear sign of Infantino’s political proximity, further underscores his reach.
The 64‑Team Vision
Perhaps the most striking element of his agenda is the push to expand the World Cup to 64 teams, a proposal that contradicts earlier statements but aligns with his vision of turning FIFA into a global entertainment conglomerate. While the Asian Football Confederation, Concacaf and UEFA may publicly oppose the idea, their member federations are reportedly inclined to go along.
Behind the scenes, FIFA’s leadership appears to be positioning itself for a future where club football and international competition intersect. European Football Clubs chief Nasser Al‑Khelaifi is rumored to be in line for a joint venture with FIFA, a move that could cement Infantino’s influence for years to come.