FIFA boss Gianni Infantino declines to address his future at U-20 Women’s World Cup
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino arriving at the stadium in Katowice, Poland, for the Poland versus Argentina match in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup on Sept 5.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino declined to discuss his future amid controversy over a failed plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors.
- Several national football bodies have called for Infantino's resignation or replacement due to the controversy.
- UEFA and others stopped boycotting the U-20 Women’s World Cup after FIFA assured no revival of the private equity plan; Infantino aims for a fourth term in 2027.
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KATOWICE, Poland – Embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino declined to address his future as the Under-20 Women’s World Cup got under way in Poland on Sept 5.
The Swiss-Italian has been under fire since an aborted plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, with multiple national governing bodies calling for his resignation or replacement.
“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” Infantino told Sky News, as he arrived at the stadium in Katowice for a match between Poland and Argentina.
“We are continuing at FIFA, of course, to work to give every corner of the world a chance, an opportunity, a dignity, to find ways and means for them to become better and to participate and to celebrate football, which we all love.”
Infantino, 56, did not respond when asked if he had considered stepping down, or whether he still intends to seek a fourth term in 2027.
He has served as FIFA president since his initial election in February 2016. In April 2026, he announced his bid for re-election to extend his tenure to 2031.
Infantino was in Katowice with senior members of FIFA including secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom and refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina.
UEFA, the European governing body, and other federations backed down from their initial plan to boycott the U-20 Women’s World Cup after receiving assurances that FIFA would not revive Infantino’s private equity proposal.
But UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who had previously ruled out running against Infantino in FIFA’s presidential election, did not attend the game.
On Sept 3, FIFA accused UEFA of launching a smear campaign and argued that its opposition to the sell-off was motivated by a desire to preserve European football’s dominance. REUTERS
