Gianni Infantino Faces Resignation Pressure Over Undeclared £1.3m Salary
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing growing calls to step down following revelations that he accepted an undeclared second salary of £1.3m in 2024. The additional compensation came from FWC2026, the corporate entity established to manage and operate the upcoming World Cup, according to US tax filings.
While FIFA has maintained a policy since 2016 of publishing the president’s salary, bonuses, and allowances in its official annual report, the £1.3 million payment from FWC2026 was omitted from the 2024 public disclosure document. FIFA reported £3.88m ($5.1m) in salary for Infantino that year, but the separate funds routed through the World Cup organizing company went unmentioned.
Statutory Transparency Rules and FIFA Defense
Article 43, paragraph 13 of FIFA’s statutes explicitly requires that individual compensation for the organization’s president, council members, and secretary general be made public. The discrepancy between the published annual report and US tax documents has intensified scrutiny over governance standards within world football’s governing body.
Responding to inquiries regarding the undeclared funds, FIFA defended the compensation structure through an official statement. The organization stated that the president’s annual compensation and contractual benefits are determined by the FIFA compensation sub-committee. FIFA also noted that it contributes to social charges, pension funds, and other employee benefits for the president, and that these provisions are fully reported to US authorities in accordance with legal reporting requirements.
Other senior figures involved with the organization did not receive matching secondary payments. Neither FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom nor Concacaf president Victor Montagliani received extra compensation from FWC2026, despite Montagliani chairing the FWC2026 board.
FIFA Council Meeting and Election Timeline
The financial disclosure controversy coincides with a critical meeting of the FIFA Council. Infantino is set to meet council members for the first time since attempting to part-privatize FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, without prior consultation or approval from the council.
Despite losing the backing of UEFA and select federations across North America and Asia, Infantino has refused to resign. He maintains that he retains sufficient support to secure re-election next March. Candidates wishing to challenge his presidency face a deadline of November 18 to formally declare their intention to stand. Infantino has previously been re-elected unopposed twice after defeating four rival candidates to claim the presidency in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions About the FIFA Salary Controversy
Why was the £1.3 million payment not included in FIFA’s annual report?
The £1.3 million payment originated from FWC2026, the independent corporate entity created to organize the 2026 World Cup, rather than directly from FIFA’s core accounts, though US tax filings show the funds were received by Infantino.
What do FIFA statutes say about executive compensation?
Article 43, paragraph 13 of the organization’s statutes requires that the individual compensation of the FIFA president, council members, and the secretary general must be made public.
Who else received payments from the World Cup organizing company?
Neither FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom nor Concacaf president Victor Montagliani received extra payments from FWC2026, even though Montagliani served as the chair of the FWC2026 board.
When is the deadline for challengers to enter the presidential race?
Candidates wishing to run against Infantino in the upcoming election must declare their intention to stand by November 18.
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