Sport · Singapore Bureau
FIFA chief Infantino received undisclosed US$1.7m World Cup payment
FIFA President Gianni Infantino received a substantial undisclosed payment of US$1.7 million in 2024 from the official body managing the 2026 World Cup. The transfer was made by FWC2026, a US-based organisation established by FIFA to oversee preparations for the tournament.
LSN Singapore ·
The payment to Infantino was channelled through FWC2026, the formal entity responsible for coordinating the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The transaction occurred in 2024 but remained undisclosed until now, raising questions about the transparency of financial arrangements between FIFA leadership and World Cup organising bodies.
The undisclosed nature of the payment adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding FIFA's financial practices and governance structures. The world football governing body has faced repeated criticism over compensation arrangements with senior officials and the allocation of tournament-related funds.
FWC2026 was established as the primary operational body to handle logistics, infrastructure and coordination for the three-nation tournament scheduled for 2026. As FIFA president, Infantino maintains significant influence over World Cup operations and the entities tasked with managing them.
The revelation underscores persistent questions about financial disclosure standards within FIFA and the mechanisms through which payments flow to top executives during major tournament cycles. Such arrangements typically warrant disclosure to FIFA's member associations and relevant stakeholder bodies.