Summary of Key Points
Since 2016, when Infantino unexpectedly took over FIFA, which was embroiled in a scandal of corruption, he has managed to double FIFA's revenue and nearly triple its reserves over the past decade through tactics such as distributing money to smaller countries, expanding the number of tournaments, and maximizing commercial development. This has benefited the 211 member associations worldwide. However, his tenure has also been marred by controversies, including exorbitant ticket prices, political compromises, and a centralized leadership style, making him one of the most divisive figures in the world of football. Some view him as a business genius, while others call him a "villain" who destroys the romance of the sport. His legacy remains subject to debate.
I. The Unexpected Rise: From Platini's Deputy to FIFA President
In 2015, FIFA was hit by its biggest corruption scandal, leading to the downfall of Sepp Blatter (former president) and Michel Platini (then favorite to succeed him). As Platini's deputy, Infantino was initially seen as a transitional figure. However, he seized the opportunity:
- Global Lobbying: He traveled to small countries like Montserrat and Papua New Guinea, courting officials from local football associations one by one.
- Promising Changes: During his campaign, he promised to double the funding for the development of member associations (to a total of $1.2 billion), addressing the needs of smaller organizations.
- Language Skills: His ability to speak in English, Italian, German, and other languages impressed the delegates.
Ultimately, he won the election with the statement, "FIFA's money belongs to its members, not the president."
II. Distributing Money: The Power Strategy to Win Support from Smaller Countries
Infantino's core strategy was to use money to gain votes:
- The Forward Plan: He increased the funding distributed to member associations from $328 million during the Brazil World Cup cycle to $1.746 billion for the Qatar cycle, and even more in the current cycle ($2.25 billion).
- Priority for Smaller Countries: For example, Brazil (with a population of 213 million and five World Cup titles) received $6.35 million for the 2023-2025 period, while San Marino (with a population of 34,000) received $6.44 million—since each association has an equal number of votes, smaller countries were more loyal to his policies.
- Positive Results: FIFA's reserves grew from $1.4 billion in 2015 to $2.7 billion by 2025, demonstrating that spending money could lead to greater profits.
III. Expansion and the Club World Cup: Ambitious Business Growth
To generate more revenue and expand influence, Infantino implemented two major initiatives:
- World Cup Expansion: The number of teams was increased from 32 to 48 for the 2026 tournament, with most additional spots allocated to Asia and Africa (only three added for Europe), pleasing non-European regions and increasing broadcast and sponsorship revenues.
- Club World Cup Reform: He reformed the competition from a team format to a 32-team one, despite strong opposition from UEFA (fearing it would compete with the Champions League). The inaugural event in Saudi Arabia exceeded budget expectations by 6% due to local investment.
These moves increased FIFA's revenue from $5.7 billion during the Brazil cycle to $13 billion in the current cycle, surpassing both the Champions League and the Olympic Games.
IV. Controversies: High Ticket Prices, Political Compromises, and Personal Vanity
Infantino's decisions have often drawn criticism:
- Exorbitant Tickets: The highest ticket price for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico reached over $10,000, while the lowest price for group stage matches was three times higher than in previous editions, making the games unaffordable for many fans.
- Political Stances: He lavished praise on Donald Trump (arriving three hours late to a FIFA meeting during his visit to the Middle East), and defended the Qatar World Cup by claiming, "Today I am a Qatarian, a gay man, and an immigrant worker," which led to accusations of lack of principles.
- Personal Extravagance: He had his name engraved on the Club World Cup trophy (in 14 places in 13 languages) and expanded the FIFA Council from 7 members to 35. His autocratic style earned him comparisons to Louis XIV, the "Sun King" of France.
V. A Controversial Legacy: Business Genius or Football Villain?
Judging Infantino requires a balanced perspective:
- Supporters argue: He saved FIFA from collapse, provided funding for smaller associations, and commercial development has enriched football resources.
- Critics claim: He turned the World Cup into a money-making machine, ruining its romantic essence, and his centralized leadership has made FIFA bureaucratic.
- The Core Question: Should football remain a community that preserves its traditional charm or evolve into a business entity for broader participation?
Only time will tell whether Infantino's legacy will be considered positive or negative in the history of football.
This analysis presents Infantino's ten-year tenure in plain language, explaining his policies and controversies in a way that is understandable to non-financial and non-soccer enthusiasts.