Politicians, Private Jets and Power: Inside the Life of FIFA President Gianni Infantino
An in-depth look at FIFA president Gianni Infantino's lifestyle, soaring salary, political alliances, and the growing backlash from European football bodies.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Gianni Infantino travels globally using a Qatar Airways Executive private jet and tinted Mercedes motorcades.
- The FIFA president's annual earnings have surged to roughly £4m, triple his salary when first elected in 2016.
- His close ties with Donald Trump have sparked friction and boycott threats from UEFA.
- A controversial plan to sell stake shares of the World Cup to private equity firms triggered a major leadership crisis.
Gianni Infantino stepped off a plane in Cali, Colombia, where he was welcomed on the runway by Ramon Jesurun, president of the Colombian Football Federation and a close ally. The meeting served as a photo opportunity posted on the federation's Instagram account to show support. Infantino's trip to South America was not for a standard gathering; he attended the inauguration of the country's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella. This highlights his strategy of building ties with world leaders, mirroring his high-profile relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Before the major scandal surrounding the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, Infantino appeared to be an untouchable and immensely powerful figure. Following an apology and a stated resolve to weather the backlash over selling a stake in the men's World Cup to private equity firms, he has attempted to resume normal operations. However, UEFA's threat to boycott FIFA tournaments remains active, facing an imminent test as the FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicks off in Poland in 29 days. Emboldened by support from outside Europe, Infantino shows no intention of stepping down easily.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Infantino's travel logistics mirror those of a national head of state rather than a sports administrator. A cavalcade of blacked-out Mercedes vehicles flanked by police cars recently rolled into FIFA headquarters in Rabat, Morocco. There, he summoned select board members to discuss selling a 21% stake in FIFA's commercial and ticketing operations to a private equity firm. The Swiss-Italian executive travels via a dedicated Qatar Airways Executive jet, enabling up to three flights a day and attendance at two matches daily during the 2026 World Cup. His official duties require visiting all 211 member nations, inspecting grassroots projects, and bridging global football through international travel and political engagement.
Along with private jet charters and motorcades comes a massive salary package. Infantino now earns roughly three times his initial salary when elected in 2016, taking home about £4m annually. This comprises a £2.2m base salary and a confirmed variable bonus of £1.8m, compared to making about £1.3m a decade ago. His predecessor, Sepp Blatter, received a £2.6m package in his final year in office. Additionally, Infantino receives an annual per diem of £20,500 to cover living expenses on top of his compensation.
While leading the world's most popular sport commands a substantial salary to match generated revenues, blending sports administration with high-stakes international geopolitics introduces significant governance risks. Aligning too closely with figures like Donald Trump can compromise perceptions of political neutrality mandated by international sports bodies, ultimately fracturing relationships with key regional confederations like UEFA.
"Infantino was prioritising private political interests."
UEFA
Infantino's alliance with Donald Trump drew criticism that he was neglecting core football responsibilities. In May 2025, after a Middle East diplomatic tour with Trump, Infantino arrived two hours late for the FIFA Congress in Paraguay, prompting UEFA to accuse him of prioritizing private political interests and stage a walk-out. Further controversy arose when the FIFA Peace Prize was awarded to Trump shortly before US military interventions in Venezuela and Iran. Although the FIFA ethics committee took no action regarding political neutrality complaints, public scrutiny intensified—particularly after US striker Folarin Balogun escaped a red card ban following a personal phone call from Trump to Infantino. Although FIFA insisted independent disciplinary bodies made the call, the culminating association with Trump materialized through the Fifa Forward Enterprise plan involving investors linked to Jared Kushner's family, leaving UEFA and national associations weighing potential boycotts.
Source: BBC Sport
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