FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces strong criticism and calls for his resignation from former president Sepp Blatter and La Liga president Javier Tebas, who accuse him of "destroying the football industry" by prioritizing the World Cup and making "irresponsible decisions" regarding expansion and a controversial player ban.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter criticized the 2026 World Cup, claiming it "lost its credibility" due to political influence and urging stakeholders to reclaim the sport. This came after Spain's victory in the 48-team tournament, which FIFA hailed as a success despite various off-field controversies.
Der ehemalige Fifa-Präsident Sepp Blatter gibt trotz seines Alters und seiner Kontroversen ein Interview per E-Mail über Korruption im Weltfußball und die Rolle von Donald Trump.
A decisão da Fifa de suspender o cartão vermelho do atacante Folarin Balogun, dos EUA, gerou polêmica. A intervenção, que Ignorou regras da Copa do Mundo, levanta questões sobre interferência política, especialmente com o envolvimento de Donald Trump, amigo de Infantino. A Uefa criticou a decisão, mas a popularidade de Infantino entre federações menores garante sua reeleição.
HLV Jurgen Klopp, cựu Chủ tịch FIFA Sepp Blatter và Wayne Rooney chỉ trích FIFA đình chỉ án treo giò của tiền đạo Folarin Balogun tại World Cup 2026, được cho là do Tổng thống Mỹ Donald Trump can thiệp, vi phạm quy tắc kỷ luật của FIFA.
L'ancien président de la FIFA, Sepp Blatter, a critiqué la décision de lever la suspension de Folarin Balogun, suggérant une influence politique de Donald Trump sur Gianni Infantino. Blatter s'interroge sur l'avenir de la FIFA et dénonce le football comme un terrain de jeu politique.
Sepp Blatter criticizes FIFA for overturning Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban after a call from Donald Trump, questioning the sport's independence from political influence. Belgium expresses anger, while the US coach welcomes the decision.
The author reflects on South Africa's 2010 World Cup hosting experience, acknowledging the national pride and unity it fostered but concluding it didn't solve deep-seated structural issues. The event offered a glimpse of a better nation, not a cure.
Gianni Infantino announced at FIFA's 76th congress in Vancouver that he will seek re-election next year, having already secured endorsements from African, Asian and South American confederations representing 111 of 211 votes. FIFA's forecast revenues for 2027-2030 have increased to $14bn, with distributions to federations set to rise by 20% to $2.7bn. The congress also saw controversial law changes including automatic red cards for players covering their mouths, and a new proposal requiring clubs to field a homegrown under-21 player.
