Earlier this week, a convoy of blacked-out Mercedes, escorted by police, pulled up at Fifa’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.
Gianni Infantino had gathered a select group from Fifa’s management board to outline his proposal to sell a 21% stake in the commercial and ticketing arm to a private equity investor.
This is his standard travel style—between trips on a Qatar Airways Executive jet placed at his disposal. The aircraft allowed him to take up to three flights a day, attending two matches, throughout the 2026 World Cup.
Such an entrance looks distinctly presidential—more befitting a head of state than the leader of a sports organisation.
It enables him to circle the globe, visiting Fifa’s offices such as Rabat, where he was based last week as the Fifa Forward Enterprise controversy intensified.
His role includes visiting all 211 member associations to view grassroots projects funded by Fifa.
Another part of his brief is to unify the game—something that cannot be achieved solely from Fifa’s Zurich headquarters.
That mission demands international travel to confederation meetings and Fifa’s global tournaments, as well as relationship-building with officials and politicians.
In April, ahead of the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, local authorities rejected a request for a level-four motorcade, typically reserved for heads of state or the Pope.
New Zealand police said they had made a similar refusal during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The motorcades and charter flights come alongside a substantial salary—around three times what he earned upon his 2016 election.
Infantino, who earned about £1.3m a decade ago, now takes home roughly £4m: a £2.2m base salary plus a confirmed £1.8m variable bonus.
By comparison, his predecessor Sepp Blatter received a £2.6m package in his final year as Fifa president.
He also receives a per diem for expenses and living costs, worth £20,500 annually, on top of his salary.
As the figurehead of the world’s most popular sport, a commensurate wage is to be expected.
Infantino argues that record revenues and increased funding for member associations show he merits that compensation.