Infantino’s Dominican Republic visit defies Concacaf’s request
On August 21, FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to take part in a Caribbean Football Union event, a decision that ignored a direct appeal from Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani to stay away.
The gathering, which also featured a U‑14 boys tournament, was billed as a showcase for player development, but Infantino’s presence sparked tension, especially as Montagliani and leaders from UEFA and AFC had earlier urged him to reconsider his attendance, citing concerns over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.
The Forward Enterprise plan, which sought private investment and even considered selling stakes to Thrive Eternal, the venture founded by Josh Kushner, has been criticized for potentially compromising the sport’s integrity and diverting focus from grassroots programs.
Governance concerns over the Forward Enterprise
In a letter dated the same day, Montagliani warned that media attention on governance disputes could distract from youth development goals, a sentiment echoed by several regional officials who feared the event would become a platform for controversy rather than progress.
A video from the meeting captured Infantino laughing with Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, underscoring the personal rapport that accompanied the diplomatic tension.
Historic Caribbean return and electoral impact
The episode comes as UEFA threatens to boycott FIFA events, including the upcoming U‑20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, scheduled for September 5‑27, while the Caribbean region celebrates a historic milestone: its first World Cup qualification in over two decades, with Haiti and Curaçao earning spots.
The CFU, comprising 25 member nations, will play a pivotal role in the March 2027 FIFA presidential election, making the current disputes a potential factor in the upcoming vote.
While Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis had previously backed Infantino’s vision, the withdrawal of the controversial Forward Enterprise proposal has not resolved the underlying mistrust, leaving the sport’s governing bodies at a crossroads.