Who is Gianni Infantino? FIFA president prepares for 2026 World Cup
Who is Gianni Infantino? FIFA president prepares for 2026 World Cup
Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAYTue, June 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM UTC
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The FIFA World Cup is taking over the summer.
This year's tournament will be hosted by three countries for the first time. The record 104 matches will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The World Cup happens every four years, with the women's World Cup played in between the men's. So who orchestrates all of this every two years?
FIFA, and the federation's president, Gianni Infantino.
"This will be the biggest, the most inclusive, the greatest FIFA World Cup ever," Infantino promised in a press conference just weeks before the tournament's kickoff on June 11.
Infantino took the helm of soccer's governing body after officials cleaned house due to corruption in 2016. Controversy at FIFA has not totally gone away since he took over. Regardless, the men's World Cup continues to be an event worth billions of dollars every four years and Infantino has kept his promise of expanding the beautiful game.
More: Where to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup: TV, streaming
Who is Gianni Infantino?
Gianni Infantino is the president of FIFA. He oversees key decisions like that to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams and what countries get to host the tournament. Partnerships are made or changed under his watch as well, such as the switch from Panini to Topps for FIFA's trading cards or ending its partnership with EA Sports to remove the FIFA name from the popular video game.
Infantino, 56, was born in Switzerland to Italian parents. He became a lawyer and gained leadership experience at UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, before being named the president of FIFA in 2016. He came into the role amid great turmoil as, in 2015, the federation had been exposed for extensive corruption, including bribery, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. His predecessor, Sepp Blatter, resigned for his own involvement in the scandal. Infantino has since been reelected without opposition in 2019 and 2023.
Infantino is a fan of Italian club Inter Milan and speaks seven languages. He is married to Leena Al Ashqar and they have four daughters together.
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He became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 2020.
What is the controversy surrounding Gianni Infantino?
Gianni Infantino has not been without controversy. He travels the world in a private jet and is known to be close with dictators and autocrats. FIFA continues to be portrayed as a money-hungry organization despite the supposed core values of inclusivity, sustainability and equality.
In 2020, FIFA published a vision for the organization's goals and impact, stating, "FIFA's key mission is to truly globalise, popularise and democratise football for the benefit of the entire world."
Infantino was given the Order of Friendship by Russian leader Vladimir Putin after the 2018 World Cup, which was held in the country. There was much criticism over the 2022 World Cup being held in Qatar, which was decided before Infantino took over.
The country reportedly exploited migrant workers to build the tournament's infrastructure and has a history of oppressing women and the LGBTQ+ community. Saudi Arabia, which is criticized for similar reasons, will host the 2034 competition. There also continues to be pay discrepancy between the men's and women's tournaments hosted by FIFA.
Infantino has expanded the World Cup to 48 teams on the men's and women's side, and has also expanded the Club World Cup to a 32-team competition.
What is Gianni Infantino's relationship to Donald Trump?
Infantino is close with United States president Donald Trump, visiting the Oval Office frequently and also appearing at events worldwide with Trump.
In December, the soccer executive gave the business mogul the first FIFA Peace Prize.
"You definitely deserve the first FIFA peace prize for your action, for what you have obtained – in your way – but you obtained it in an incredible way," Infantino said of how Trump handled world conflicts. "And you can always count, Mr. President, on my support, on the support of the entire football community, or soccer community to help you make peace and make the world prosper."
FIFA will also join President Trump in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States with ceremonies at two World Cup matches on Independence Day, July 4.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Gianni Infantino? FIFA president prepares for 2026 World Cup
Source: “AOL Sports”
