Jordanian FA president accuses FIFA of 'blackmail'

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association, has accused FIFA of "blackmailing" his organization over World Cup funds in return for support for Gianni Infantino's continued presidency. Infantino is currently facing intense scrutiny amid fallout from a plan to secure private investors for a company that would manage FIFA's tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups.

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For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters – until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out.

Prince Ali stated that his organization would "certainly" not endorse Infantino. He alleged that FIFA sought his support by promising assistance with the recovery of money he claims is owed to the Jordanian FA. Prince Ali, who previously ran for FIFA president against Sepp Blatter in 2015 and Infantino in 2016, also highlighted issues faced by Jordanian fans trying to attend the World Cup in the United States, citing exorbitant ticket prices and significant taxes his association incurred.

"For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters – until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out," Prince Ali wrote on X. "We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

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We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that.

He further detailed that Jordan is still awaiting prize money from last year's Arab Cup, organized by FIFA, while the governing body "brags about how many billions they have in reserve." Prince Ali concluded, "It is clear the problem really is with leadership." FIFA declined to comment on Prince Ali's remarks. Asia is considered a crucial continent in any potential presidential contest, with Europe and North American nations reportedly favoring Infantino's removal, while Africa, South America, and Oceania are expected to back him.

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It is clear the problem really is with leadership.