FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing fresh calls to resign after reports revealed he received an additional £1.3 million payment linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup organisation, a sum that was not separately disclosed in FIFA’s 2024 financial report.
The payment, reportedly made by FWC2026, the company established to organise and manage the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has sparked concerns over transparency and compliance with FIFA’s disclosure requirements.
According to financial documents referenced by Sky Sports, Infantino earned a reported salary of £3.88 million (approximately $5.1 million) in 2024. However, United States tax filings allegedly showed he also received an additional £1.3 million (around $1.76 million) from FWC2026.
The development has triggered renewed scrutiny of FIFA’s governance, particularly regarding compensation disclosure rules. Article 43, Paragraph 13 of FIFA’s statutes requires that the individual compensation of the FIFA president, FIFA Council members, and the secretary-general be made public.
FIFA has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, insisting that all relevant financial information was properly disclosed and that the organisation remains compliant with its statutes.
In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson said the governing body did not pay Infantino a second salary and had fulfilled all reporting obligations related to executive compensation. The spokesperson added that the FIFA president’s remuneration and contractual benefits were determined by an independent compensation sub-committee.
FIFA further maintained that its accounts underwent independent audits and that all compensation declarations complied with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States, and other applicable jurisdictions.
The controversy comes amid growing criticism of Infantino’s leadership and FIFA’s governance practices. The FIFA president has recently faced opposition over efforts to attract private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, a proposal that was ultimately shelved following widespread resistance.
Infantino is expected to meet with the 36-member FIFA Council in Zurich on Thursday, marking his first formal engagement with the body since concerns emerged over the abandoned investment plans.
His leadership has also come under increasing scrutiny from several European football leagues, which have called for reforms within world football’s governing body. Reports indicate that Infantino has lost support from UEFA as well as some football federations in North America and Asia, although he continues to enjoy considerable backing from associations in Africa and South America.
Despite the mounting criticism, Infantino has confirmed his intention to seek another term as FIFA president in March 2027. He was first elected to the position in 2016 and was subsequently re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023.
No major challenger has yet emerged ahead of the election. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega has expressed interest in contesting the presidency but is widely viewed as unlikely to secure the support of the minimum five member associations required to become an official candidate. Prospective candidates have until November 18 to declare their intention to run.
Although FIFA presidents are limited to three terms, Infantino remains eligible to stand again because his initial three-year period from 2016 to 2019 is not counted under the current term-limit rules.
The latest revelations surrounding the undisclosed payment are expected to intensify debate over transparency and accountability within FIFA as the organisation prepares for its next presidential election.
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