Gianni Infantino: When Football Becomes Power, Politics and Business

Not because every accusation against him has been proven. They have not.

But because, in my view, his model of leadership has pushed FIFA too far toward the intersection of politics, geopolitics, private capital and commercial power.

Infantino, born in Switzerland to Italian parents, studied law and built his career at UEFA, where he eventually became Secretary General. In 2016 he became FIFA President, succeeding Sepp Blatter.

He arrived promising a new era after the corruption scandals that had damaged FIFA.

Ten years later, the fundamental question is different:

Did Infantino reform FIFA—or simply create an even more powerful and commercial FIFA?

His presidency has dramatically expanded FIFA’s commercial ambitions. More teams, more competitions, more broadcasting rights and more global markets have transformed football into an enormous business.

But football is not simply a product.

It is culture, identity, history and passion.

And the latest controversy is particularly serious.

In July 2026, FIFA proposed the creation of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial structure that would have involved private investors in FIFA’s future commercial rights. The proposal was valued at around $20 billion, with an investment of approximately $4.2 billion.

The project was abandoned after fierce opposition, particularly from UEFA.

Now UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint in Switzerland alleging possible criminal mismanagement and is seeking documents concerning how the project was developed, valued and approved. These are allegations—not a conviction—but they raise serious questions about FIFA governance. (Al Jazeera⁠)

The most troubling question is simple:

Why should the president of FIFA be able to develop a multi-billion-dollar restructuring of football’s commercial assets without a fully transparent and independently scrutinised process?

Infantino and Donald Trump

Infantino has also developed an unusually close public relationship with Donald Trump.

Political relationships between FIFA and governments are inevitable. Hosting a World Cup requires governments, security agencies and international diplomacy.

But there is a difference between diplomatic cooperation and appearing politically aligned with one particular leader.

The FIFA president should represent world football, not appear to belong to a political camp.

That distinction matters.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf

Infantino has embraced the enormous economic and geopolitical role of the Gulf in modern football.

Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia has also become one of the most important forces in global football investment.

Again, investment itself is not the problem.

The question is whether football is becoming increasingly dependent on governments, sovereign wealth and geopolitical interests.

Football should benefit from global investment.

It should not become a tool of geopolitical influence.

Africa and FIFA’s political balance

Africa is another critical component of Infantino’s power.

With 54 national associations, the continent represents an enormous voting bloc within FIFA.

FIFA’s Forward programme has directed substantial resources toward football development around the world, including Africa.

That is positive.

But it also raises a broader governance question:

Does political support come from confidence in leadership—or from dependence on FIFA’s financial distribution system?

There is no evidence that African votes for Infantino are simply “bought”, and such a claim would be irresponsible.

But the relationship between FIFA funding, political support and presidential elections deserves complete transparency.

Corruption allegations and governance controversies

It is important to be precise.

Infantino has not been convicted of corruption.

However, his presidency has faced several governance controversies, including investigations concerning his conduct and undisclosed meetings with Swiss officials.

Those episodes do not constitute proof of criminal wrongdoing.

But when the president of the world’s most powerful football organisation repeatedly becomes the centre of governance controversies, the credibility of the institution inevitably suffers.

And now the FIFA Forward Enterprise affair has escalated the situation dramatically.

UEFA is not merely criticising Infantino politically.

It is seeking legal action and an independent examination of the project. (The Guardian⁠)

My fundamental criticism

Infantino increasingly represents a vision of football built around:

money + media rights + geopolitics + private capital + political relationships + global expansion.

There is nothing wrong with making football financially stronger.

But there is something wrong when commercial expansion begins to dominate the identity of the sport.

The FIFA president is not the owner of football.

FIFA is not a private corporation belonging to its president.

And football cannot become an asset whose future is negotiated primarily among governments, investors and executives.

The fans must remain at the centre.

One thing I will give him credit for

As an Italian—and as an Inter supporter—I have to acknowledge one thing:

Infantino clearly knows that Milan and Inter belong among the great institutions of world football.

That, at least, is something I can appreciate personally.

But being an Interista is not enough to run FIFA.

My conclusion

Infantino has achieved important things.

FIFA has become financially stronger. The global reach of the game has expanded. More resources have been distributed to developing football nations.

But the question is not simply:

How much money has FIFA generated?

The question is:

What kind of football is being created?

When a FIFA president becomes closely associated with political leaders, Gulf governments, major investors and increasingly complex commercial structures, independence becomes a legitimate concern.

When a multi-billion-dollar commercial project triggers a major institutional confrontation with UEFA and potential legal action, the problem becomes one of governance.

For me, the conclusion is clear:

Gianni Infantino should leave FIFA.

After a decade in power, football needs a new leadership model—more independent, more transparent and less personalised.

The FIFA presidency should belong to football.

Not to power surrounding football.

And perhaps the next president should remember one simple principle:

Football belongs first to the people who love it.

Not to its presidents.

Roberto Balbino — CEO, Fintech SCB.
Independent analyst of finance, economics, geopolitics and global markets.