Gianni Infantino has been re-elected as FIFA President for the third time, securing another four-year term during the World Football Association Congress in Kigali. Following his election, Infantino stated that he would continue to work towards uniting the world of football, while FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura expressed her support.
Despite the overwhelming support from the vast majority of FIFA’s 211 national associations, Infantino has faced criticism for his actions during his tenure. Many have compared him unfavourably to his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, claiming that Infantino is more dangerous.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Infantino banned the “One Love” armband and served as a mouthpiece for the Qataris, despite their poor track record on issues related to the LGBTQ community and guest workers. Infantino also pushed through the expansion of the World Cup, increasing the number of teams from 32 to 48 in 2026 and inflating the tournament to 104 games.
Moreover, some national associations, like the German Football Association, want FIFA to become more open and transparent in its dealings with the national associations. In response to the criticism, Infantino announced that he would continue to work towards improving and strengthening transparency within FIFA.
Despite the criticism Infantino has received, his leadership has resulted in great economic success for the world association. By 2026, revenue of at least eleven billion US dollars is expected, with most of the money being passed on to associations.
In conclusion, critics argue that Infantino’s policies are harmful and do not promote accountability in FIFA. Nonetheless, his supporters believe that he has been instrumental in improving the finances of FIFA, and will continue to push for a united world of football.
