- ~8 Mins (due to extensive context and insights provided)
FIFA Congress stirring controversy due to Gianni Infantino's visit to Trump during congressional meetings - Trump meets with Gianni Infantino during FIFA Congress creates a stir
In a grand display, the red carpet was rolled out as if for a high-ranking dignitary, but Gianni Infantino strutted the path with a casual air, seemingly unbothered by the controversy swirling around him. Yet, his tardiness couldn't be so easily dismissed. This misstep during the FIFA congress in Asunción would leave a lasting impact.
The European council's delegates, led by DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, launched a united protests against Infantino's behavior. They made a dramatic exit from the congress podium to express their dissatisfaction.
After the coffee break, there were no immediate returns from the UEFA delegates or FIFA. However, it was confirmed this was a coordinated action.
The Quandary of Gianni Infantino's Timeline
German Press Agency revealed that the European functionaries protested against Infantino's behavior. His late arrival in Asunción was due to his controversial Middle Eastern trip with US President Donald Trump, resulting in a three-hour delay for the congress. Infantino tenderly apologized but proceeded with the general assembly as usual.
"My plane encountered 'problems'," Infantino explained his tardiness. However, his tardiness had already irked many delegates beforehand. This factor likely contributed significantly to Ceferin, Neuendorf, and others' unprecedented protocol protest.
Infantino's justifications were clear. He insisted that as FIFA president, he made decisions in the organization's best interest. He also defended his actions, stating that he felt compelled to represent football and all of them during his visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar with Trump.
Frustration Preceding UEFA's Move
Delegates at Bourbon Asunción Convention Centre reportedly expressed frustration even before the UEFA boycott, owing to the time shift. Despite being warmly received by Paraguay's President Santiago Pena, Infantino's unexplained absence at the usual banquet the previous night raised eyebrows.
Infantino's Learjet, which departed from Qatar, was still in the air when the meeting was supposed to begin at 9:30 a.m. local time. Initially, the countdown on the FIFA homepage for the congress start was extended by an hour, then the clock ticked down a total of three hours longer.
There was room for debate over Infantino's trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The World Association Chairman had skipped usual events before the FIFA Congress to participate in meetings with US President Trump. Trump and Infantino had met frequently in recent months to prepare for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Praise from Trump, Criticism from Klaveness
"Good job, Gianni," Trump congratulated Infantino during a meeting on the trip, as seen in a video. Many FIFA delegates disagreed with this assessment. "It's crucial that he's present on the days we're present. This is the most important meeting for us," Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness declared before the congress.
The rest of the Congress Show continued as planned, with much applause. The absence of Europeans on stage went unnoticed. Infantino reassured fans of a safe and incident-free World Cup in America. Concerns about Trump's stringent policies, however, remained unaddressed. Financially, FIFA reported records of $13 billion in revenue for the 2023-2026 cycle - double the revenue the previous cycle ($6.5 billion/2019-2022). The delay of a few hours in comparison, likely pales in comparison to the figures involved. However, European football officials could still question Infantino over this incident.
- Gianni Infantino
- FIFA
- Donald Trump
- UEFA
- Paraguay
- Asunción
- Bernd Neuendorf
- Aleksander Ceferin
- DFB
- **Further Context: Critics saw Infantino’s late arrival as evidence that he valued personal relationships over the interests of football and football's calendar[1]. They felt that as the president of FIFA, Infantino should prioritize the needs of the organization over his personal ties with other leaders.[1]
- The Commission could consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, as football champions-league and European leagues often face criticism for their carbon footprint during games and travel.
- Following Gianni Infantino's late arrival at the FIFA Congress, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and DFB president Bernd Neuendorf led a dramatic protest, demonstrating their dissatisfaction with Infantino's behavior.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his tardiness, FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended his actions, arguing that representing football and its interests was a priority, even if it meant traveling with US President Donald Trump.
