Gianni Infantino faces questions over undisclosed $1.72m World Cup payment

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed scrutiny after documents showed he received an additional $1.72 million in 2024 from FWC2026, the United States-based entity established by FIFA to manage and operate the 2026 World Cup.

The payment appears in FWC2026’s latest publicly available United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filing, covering the 2024 financial year. It was not included in FIFA’s 2024 annual report, which listed Infantino’s salary and benefits at 4.274 million Swiss francs, approximately $4.86 million.

The omission has raised questions over whether FIFA fully disclosed the president’s total compensation and whether payments made through associated entities fall under the organisation’s governance requirements.

FIFA’s statutes, under Article 43, paragraph 13, set out the responsibilities of the Compensation Sub-Committee and require public disclosure of the FIFA president’s individual compensation. The available documents do not establish a definitive legal or regulatory breach.

A FIFA spokesperson, contacted by text message, rejected suggestions that the organisation had violated its rules. The response did not explain in detail why the payment was absent from the 2024 annual report.

The disclosure comes as FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Investment plan adds to pressure

Infantino had already faced criticism over a reported proposal to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to outside investors.

The plan, known as Football Forward Enterprises (FFP), involved attracting external investment into the tournament. The proposed investors were led by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.

Infantino has maintained close ties with Trump ahead of the tournament and has made regular visits to the White House. The investment proposal prompted concerns over FIFA’s commercial strategy and the relationships surrounding its leadership.

The proposal also led the heads of UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to demand Infantino’s resignation. UEFA threatened to boycott future FIFA events.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which concluded in September, nevertheless went ahead as scheduled. Infantino later wrote to confederation leaders and agreed to a proposal to distribute $10 million to each FIFA member association in an attempt to ease tensions.

Balogun decision criticised

Infantino has also been criticised over his handling of a disciplinary case involving United States forward Folarin Balogun.

Balogun was sent off during the United States’ 2-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 and was expected to miss the round-of-16 match against Belgium. After Trump reportedly called Infantino about the suspension, Balogun was placed on probation and allowed to play.

The United States lost the match 4-1.

FIFA’s next Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Zurich. It is not known whether the payment will be discussed or whether FIFA will provide a fuller explanation.

The IRS filing establishes that Infantino received $1.72 million from FWC2026 in 2024, separate from his regular FIFA remuneration. FIFA denies breaking its statutes, while Maduro has argued that compensation paid through related entities should be fully transparent.