Also known as: Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter · Ex-FIFA chief Blatter
Former FIFA president who criticized the plan to commercialize the World Cup via a $20 billion subsidiary.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA in 2016. He has come under severe pressure since the announcement in late July of proposals to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup. …
Infantino proposes consulting federations to reform FIFACitizen Digital
… "It also has sporting legitimacy, having been in the top three in the FIFA rankings for the last 10 years." Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president of world football's governing body in 2016. …
France withdraws support for Infantino in FIFA presidential electionThe Standard
… t has the right to intervene when it has the feeling that FIFA and its president are going off course in their governance of world football"."It also has sporting legitimacy, having been in the top three in the FIFA rankings for the last 10 years." Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter …
France withdraws support for Infantino in FIFA presidential electionCitizen Digital
… of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles." Infantino, 56, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter …
Italian FA withdraws support for FIFA chief InfantinoCitizen Digital
… Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016. …
UEFA's Ceferin tells Infantino to go, but 'not interested' in replacing himThe Standard
… reat, with Ceferin forecasting he will have to stand down or face a leadership challenge if he seeks re-election at the next FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027.Infantino, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter …
UEFA chief Ceferin rules out bid to replace Infantino as FIFA presidentCitizen Digital
… A European has been in charge since 1998, with Sepp Blatter followed by Infantino although African football head Issa Hayatou acted as caretaker president in between Blatter resigning in 2015 and the election of his successor. …
What next for beleaguered FIFA president Infantino?Citizen Digital
… Europe has held the post since Sepp Blatter was elected in 1998. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Norway's football chief Lise Klaveness -- who would be the first woman elected as president -- have both ruled themselves out in the past. …
Infantino faces nervy times to see if challenger emergesCitizen Digital
… Infantino has largely limited his media appearances, unlike his predecessor Sepp Blatter. …
Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor planThe Standard
… Infantino has largely limited his media appearances, unlike his predecessor Sepp Blatter. …
Infantino, the FIFA president under pressure after scrapped investor planFIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed consulting the 211 member associations on how to strengthen FIFA's decision-making processes, in a letter following backlash to his plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
22 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed consulting the 211 member associations on how to strengthen FIFA's decision-making processes, in a letter following backlash to his plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
22 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France's Football Federation announced it will not support Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, joining other European federations including Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales in withdrawing support. The FFF stated that trust in the FIFA president has been betrayed and that world football governance no longer reflects their values.
10 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France has withdrawn support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for FIFA president in the March 2027 election, aligning with Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. The French Football Federation cited a loss of trust in the FIFA president's governance of world football, citing his abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cups.
10 September 2026 · The Standard →
Italy's national football federation withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup, joining other European associations in scrapping their backing ahead of his re-election bid at next year's FIFA Congress.
26 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled himself out of contention to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino, while warning that Infantino must quit or face a leadership challenge. Infantino has faced mounting pressure to step down over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, with UEFA and other continental federations withdrawing support.
24 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is not interested in replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but warned that Infantino must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March over his abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and several federations have withdrawn support for Infantino.
24 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino withdrew his plan to raise private investment for a new commercial subsidiary to run World Cup operations after global backlash. UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC released an open letter criticizing his leadership style, despite calls for unity.
10 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has lost UEFA's confidence after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup triggered global backlash and calls for his resignation, despite FIFA withdrawing the proposal. His previously unopposed path to a fourth term in March's election has been significantly weakened.
5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lost the "confidence" of UEFA after his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup was withdrawn following global backlash, marking the first significant threat to his position despite his recent successes with expanded tournaments.
4 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's position is threatened for the first time following the failure of a private investor plan, despite his recent successes in expanding the Club World Cup and World Cup and delivering increased revenue to FIFA's 211 member associations.
4 August 2026 · The Standard →
FIFA plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary bundling its money-making activities (broadcast rights, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing, event delivery) valued at around $20 billion, and would sell up to 20% stakes to outside investors while retaining majority control.
31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised FIFA's plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup, saying the tournament is not a commercial asset and warning that turning FIFA into a profit-oriented structure would cause it to lose its soul.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
African football chief Patrice Motsepe praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a devoted steward of the game and friend of Africa, defending him against criticism over decisions including a suspension delay for a US striker and hydration breaks.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Fifty members of the European Parliament have urged FIFA's ethics committee to investigate president Gianni Infantino for awarding a 'peace prize' to US President Donald Trump, supporting a complaint by sports human rights group FairSquare that cited FIFA's code of ethics requiring political neutrality.
4 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed his re-election candidacy for 2027 at FIFA's Congress in Vancouver, after securing pledges of support from the African Football Confederation and the Asian Football Confederation.
1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Confederation of African Football said it has unanimously agreed to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino's re-election bid for 2027, which would be his fourth term despite FIFA statutes limiting presidents to three terms.
30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →