Infantino sidesteps questions about his future at FIFA

Gianni Infantino stood before reporters in Poland, but walked away when asked whether he planned to seek another term as FIFA president.

Infantino arrived to watch the Women’s Under-20 World Cup and began by praising Poland, the host city Katowice and the tournament generally. He then referred to “everything else,” meaning the controversy surrounding FIFA and his leadership.

“There would be a lot to say, but there is a right place and time for that, and it is not here now,” Infantino said. When reporters asked whether he would run in next year’s FIFA presidential election, he completely bypassed the question and walked toward a nearby stadium. He also did not comment on whether he intended to continue in his current post.

Infantino has faced intense criticism in recent months after reports emerged about a project that would have seen FIFA sell ownership rights to the World Cup and the Club World Cup to investment companies. The plan met strong opposition, and Infantino backed away from it. Several parties have called for his dismissal.

The Italian-Swiss executive has led FIFA since 2016. Before that, he served as general secretary of UEFA. His recent ownership-rights project is not the only source of criticism. He has also faced scrutiny over his close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, including his decision to give Trump FIFA’s new peace award in December 2025.

Trump and Infantino were later at the center of another controversy during the World Cup after Trump called FIFA’s chief and demanded intervention in the suspension given to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun. FIFA eventually made Balogun’s punishment conditional.

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There would be a lot to say, but there is a right place and time for that, and it is not here now.