Despite widespread criticism, Gianni Infantino is working flat out on his re-election as FIFA President. A financial manoeuvre with suspicious timing could help him in this endeavour.
With around four weeks to go before the nomination deadline, Gianni Infantino remains unchallenged. His critics, for instance from the European and North American continental confederations, have so far failed to find a rival candidate to the controversial FIFA President. Most recently, Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA) and Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF) withdrew, as they wish to remain at the helm of their respective confederations.
However, the prospect of an uncontested election is not stopping Infantino from campaigning on his own behalf. Once again, a financial manoeuvre forms part of the strategy: according to the US news agency AP, which has seen a relevant document from the world governing body, FIFA is planning distributions totalling around 5.6 billion euros between 2027 and 2030. This includes significantly increased payments to the national associations, amounting to around 22.3 million euros each.
Development funding at the perfect time
When asked, FIFA justified the new financial plan by citing the highly profitable World Cup held in the summer. The finals in Canada, Mexico and the USA broke all previous records for turnover and revenue, which is why those in charge in Zurich want to “promote investment in the development of football across the 211 member associations, the continental confederations and other stakeholders”.
However, this is unlikely to be solely a matter of goodwill on FIFA’s part towards its own members. The timing of the leaked announcement – and also of the planned vote on the package – is too conspicuous. Whilst the plans put forward by Infantino and his team were made public one day before the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, they are set to be approved at the FIFA Congress in March 2027 – at which the election of the FIFA President is also on the agenda.
UEFA’s demand almost tripled
At the same time, UEFA and Infantino’s chief critic, Ceferin, are taking the wind out of the sails of this economic offensive. In view of the staggering World Cup revenues, the European continental body had urged the Swiss official, in a catalogue of measures, to introduce fundamental reforms whilst simultaneously demanding at least ten million dollars (around 8.93 million euros) per national association. This would significantly exceed the model – to be finalised by the FIFA Council in December – which stands at over 22 million euros.
Ironically, one of the major points of criticism levelled at him personally – his unilateral approach to the marketing plan for World Cup business – could thus become Infantino’s trump card; and, combined with the overwhelming support for the current FIFA President, particularly from Africa, it could finally deter any remaining potential challengers from standing against him.