Facebook
Britain's News Portal
Around The Clock
BREAKING
Loading latest headlines…

Gianni Infantino marks 10 years as Fifa president amid financial growth

Gianni Infantino has completed a decade as Fifa president, a period marked by significant financial recovery for the organisation, but also by controversy.

  • Gianni Infantino was elected Fifa president 10 years ago to address widespread corruption and financial issues.
  • Fifa expects to report record revenues of $13bn (£9.6bn) for the three-year cycle ending this year.
  • Infantino's presidency has seen the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and the introduction of a controversial Club World Cup.

Gianni Infantino has reached his 10-year anniversary as Fifa president, having been elected with a mandate to revitalise football's global governing body. His tenure began with Fifa facing widespread corruption allegations and a reported $550m (£392m) financial deficit after sponsors withdrew.

A decade on, Fifa's financial health has reportedly improved significantly, with the organisation anticipating record revenues of $13bn (£9.6bn) for the three-year cycle concluding at the end of this year. These figures are partly attributed to the controversial Club World Cup and the expanded World Cup, which features higher ticket prices.

However, Infantino's presidency has also been marked by controversy. Recent proposals to sell stakes in Fifa competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors have drawn criticism. He has also clashed with players' unions and European football bodies, and faced scrutiny over the allocation of World Cups and a 33% pay rise in May 2024, which increased his base salary to 2.6m Swiss francs (£2.3m).

Why this matters: Infantino's leadership has steered Fifa through a period of significant financial turnaround and expansion, but also generated debate over the commercialisation and governance of global football.

Related Articles

Get the news that matters.

Join thousands of readers getting the best of British news straight to their inbox.