Gianni Infantino

August 18, 2026 11:49 AM

Senior FIFA official Lamour exits after Infantino criticism

FIFA said on Monday that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour had left the organisation, weeks after he publicly criticised Gianni Infantino's plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. Lamour joined the senior leadership group of soccer's global governing body in November 2024, having previously been part of the inner circle that campaigned for Infantino's election as FIFA president in 2016. "FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between FIF...

August 4, 2026 4:43 PM

Battle lines drawn as Infantino fights to hold on to power after FIFA stake sale fiasco

The crisis triggered by FIFA President Gianni Infantino's abandoned proposal to sell off a stake in the World Cup deepened on Tuesday with influential figures publicly distancing themselves from the project while scrambling to contain the damage. After three days of unprecedented civil war in the world of soccer administration last week, Infantino backed away from his plan to raise $4.2 billion from a new commercial rights body late on Friday night. The 56-year-old apologised for how the propo...

July 6, 2026 8:12 AM

FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US v Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump

United States striker Folarin Balogun is available for the World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium after FIFA suspended his ban for a red card on Sunday in an unprecedented move following a call from U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup in the 2-0 win over Bosnia but was shown a red card in the second half for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. The 25-year-old was sent off after a VAR review,...

June 16, 2026 4:27 PM

‘We were told to leave immediately’: Iranian coach hits out at FIFA

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his dissatisfaction with a sudden change to his team's itinerary after Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in its FIFA World Cup Group G opener on Tuesday (IST). Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ghalenoei said his team was unexpectedly informed that it had to return to Mexico immediately after the match in Los Angeles. According to Ghalenoei, the team had earlier been told it could remain in the United States until Tuesday afternoon, but the itin...

May 1, 2026 1:02 PM

Iran to participate in 2026 World Cup, confirms FIFA chief Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, despite recent tensions involving Israel and the United States. Infantino made the announcement during his inaugural address at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada. FIFA also shared a video on social media featuring excerpts from his speech. In his opening remarks, Infantino highlighted football’s unique power to build brid...

October 14, 2025 5:23 PM

FIFA to help Gaza rebuild football infrastructure, says Infantino

IFA President Gianni Infantino pledged the governing body’s support to rebuild football infrastructure in Gaza as part of wider post-war reconstruction efforts following Monday's peace summit in Egypt. Infantino was among more than 20 world leaders who attended the gathering in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. "It’s something that is really important for FIFA to be here to support, to help, to assist, to make sure that this peace process comes to fruition," Infantino said after th...