Infantino apologizes for World Cup furor at showdown FIFA meeting
FIFA President Gianni Infantino faced a tense council meeting where he apologized to critics but failed to provide documentation regarding a controversial World Cup sell-off plan. European soccer officials continue to pressure him for transparency, with some questioning his fitness for office.
Why it matters
The ongoing leadership crisis at FIFA threatens the stability of global soccer governance ahead of upcoming presidential elections.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a news conference in Mexico City on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, a day before the opening FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) ZURICH — Gianni Infantino gave an apology to the toughest critics who want to oust him as FIFA president but no new details or documents on issues that most concern them at a showdown meeting of the ruling council of soccer's governing body on Thursday.
Infantino provided no documents about the $4.2 billion World Cup sell-off plan he launched and quickly dropped in July.
Nor did he give details to explain the Folarin Balogun red-card case at the World Cup or how U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to help the national team forward.
FIFA will, however, review whether to continue awarding the peace prize that was created to give to Trump last December.
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