Gianni Infantino – 10 years as Fifa president
Despite the controversy, one fact remains: there is no meaningful opposition to Infantino.
Although the 55-year-old has faced criticism in Europe, he has made a clear difference in the rest of the world. Yes, it’s about money. But money for football.
It has enriched some of the poorest and smallest football-playing countries by proving funding through infrastructure and development.
Infantino remained true to his word that Fifa would be transparent; It publishes the salaries of all senior managers and keeps funds within football.
The Swiss fulfilled his initial promise of an extra $5m (£3.7m) for each national association and $40m (£29.7m) for each confederation over the first four years.
During the first two cycles of the Fifa Forward project until 2022, $2.8bn (£2.08bn) has been made available for investment in more than 1,600 projects across 211 member associations.
FIFA Forward 3.0, external It provided a 30% increase in funding – covering the years 2023 to 2026.
Infantino provided a further $5 million (£3.7 million) to each member association, and each confederation was paid a further $60 million (£44.48 million) for their own projects.
After being re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, he is approaching a new election year in 2027.
Although FIFA legislation limits the presidency to a maximum of three terms, Infantino will be able to rise again.
In 2022, the governance, audit and compliance committee decided that his first term did not count because it was only three years.
Given the way Infantino has improved the finances of many associations, it’s hard to see how anyone could realistically challenge him in 2027.
Almost half of the votes in 2011 were in Asia and Africa, two regions that benefited greatly from increased funding.
Infantino may be criticized for expanding the Club World Cup and the World Cup and increasing ticket prices.
But he sees it as a tool to increase investment in the game worldwide.
And it’s a vote winner.
