During this summer’s World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada, Infantino drew broader public attention and fresh criticism.
The event was mired in controversy even before kickoff, as U.S. visas were delayed—and in some cases denied—for fans, coaching staff and officials.
In May, Iran’s tournament base was shifted to Mexico after the United States signaled it did not want to host the team amid political tensions between the countries.
Soon after, Somali referee Omar Artan—one of 52 officials appointed for the tournament—was refused entry upon arriving at Miami International Airport.
Fifa declined to step in on Artan’s behalf, stating it had no role in the host nation’s immigration process.
Once play began, Infantino’s ties to Donald Trump came under scrutiny when the U.S. president asked Fifa to reconsider Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban.
Balogun had been sent off in the last-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina but was cleared to play the next round after Trump’s extraordinary intervention, which drew widespread criticism.
The aftermath continued as Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina for its conduct following the final defeat to Spain and throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, a contentious proposal to sell stakes in Fifa’s flagship competitions prompted Uefa nations to agree to boycott all future Fifa events and led to the resignation of one of Infantino’s senior advisers.
The plan would have created a commercial subsidiary to run Fifa’s main events, with external investors able to buy shares.
Fifa’s chief operating officer, Kevin Lamour, said the organization’s own administration had been misled about the project, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham called Infantino “the wrong man” to lead Fifa.
After two more major confederations voiced opposition, Infantino announced the plans would be dropped, acknowledging the proposal had created divisions that no longer served its original purpose.
Uefa’s reaction was scathing, declaring it had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
Despite the controversies, Infantino has undeniably changed the landscape for many football nations—particularly through funding directed to football itself.
He has increased support for some of the world’s poorest and smallest federations, backing infrastructure and development projects.
Fifa has also published the salaries of its top executives and kept funds within the sport.
Re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, Infantino is now approaching another election year in 2027.
He remains eligible to stand again, despite Fifa statutes that cap a presidency at three terms.
Whether that happens remains to be seen.
An earlier version of this article was published in February 2026.