Also known as: FIFA president Gianni Infantino
FIFA president who oversaw the 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams but faced mounting pressure and resignation calls over a failed private investment plan.
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The Namibian
Gianni Infantino said would turbocharge the development of the game globally
“This body would be open to minority private investment, under a plan president Gianni Infantino said would "turbocharge the development of the game globally" by raising up to $4.2 billion.”
Concacaf members reject Fifa private investor proposalThe Namibian
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said proposed World Cup subsidiary launch is an opportunity but not an obligation
“Fifa president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that the proposed launch of a private subsidiary to exploit the commercial benefits of the World Cup was "an opportunity but not an obligation".”
Fifa proposal ‘an opportunity but not an obligation’, says InfantinoThe Namibian
Infantino defended the proposal, saying too little commercial value reaches the parts of football that need it most
“A proposal to sell stakes in Fifa's major competitions sparked disbelief and outrage globally since it was revealed Tuesday, but Infantino defended the idea, saying too little of football's commercial value reached the parts of the game that need it most.”
Fifa proposal ‘an opportunity but not an obligation’, says InfantinoThe Namibian
Gianni Infantino has faced growing criticism over Fifa's decision to delay suspension for Folarin Balogun
“Infantino has faced growing criticism over Fifa's decision to delay a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun at the recently concluded World Cup, as well as the introduction of hydration breaks and the prospect of expanding the men's tournament to 64 teams.”
CAF chief Motsepe backs Infantino despite criticismThe Namibian
Gianni Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as Fifa president in 2016
“Infantino, who replaced Sepp Blatter as Fifa president in 2016, is set to stand for re-election in 2027 as he seeks a fourth term leading world football's governing body.”
CAF chief Motsepe backs Infantino despite criticismThe Namibian
Fifa chief Gianni Infantino experienced an embarrassment from Trump's intervention with him on Folarin Balogun's suspension
“While the scandal came as an embarrassment to Fifa chief Infantino, it is unlikely to jeopardise his chances of winning another term.”
Fifa toasts World Cup triumph as tournament draws to closeThe Namibian
Fifa chief Gianni Infantino defended the decision to reprieve Folarin Balogun after Trump appealed
“Fifa chief Gianni Infantino on Monday defended the decision to reprieve US World Cup star Folarin Balogun after Donald Trump said he had appealed directly to the head of world football's governing body over the issue.”
Fifa chief forced to defend Balogun World Cup reprieveThe Namibian
Gianni Infantino has hyped tournament as the greatest show the planet has ever seen
“Those questions and more will be answered over the course of a tournament that Gianni Infantino, the president of world football's governing Fifa, has bullishly hyped as "the greatest show that the planet has ever seen."”
World Cup nears kickoff after pre tournament turbulenceThe Namibian
Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists pre-tournament unease is overblown
“International football body Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists the pre-tournament unease is overblown, dismissing the tide of downbeat headlines as "negative press".”
Anxiety, anticipation as Fifa World Cup one-month countdown beginsThe Namibian
Infantino is adamant that Iran will take part in World Cup as planned
“However, Fifa supremo Infantino is adamant that Iran, who are scheduled to play their three group matches in the United States having seen their proposal that they be moved to Mexico rejected, will take part as planned.”
Anxiety, anticipation as Fifa World Cup one-month countdown beginsCameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after finishing runners-up on three occasions. Cameroon had initially failed to qualify but received a second chance when the tournament organisers increased the field from 12 to 16 teams.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after finishing runners-up on three occasions. Cameroon had initially failed to qualify but received a second chance when the tournament organisers increased the field from 12 to 16 teams.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has said that Gianni Infantino's future as Fifa president should be decided by election, as the embattled Infantino faces criticism over an aborted plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors and pressure from UEFA, Concacaf and AFC to resign.
13 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Uefa, Concacaf and AFC issued a joint letter criticizing Fifa president Gianni Infantino, declaring that football "belongs to no individual" and stating that leadership is not a possession. The letter came after Infantino launched and then withdrew a plan to bring private investment into Fifa competitions, drawing scathing criticism from multiple confederations.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who rode high after overseeing the successful 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams, now faces his position under threat following the collapse of a private investor plan.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has withdrawn a proposal to allow private investment in the World Cup, which had faced fierce opposition from Uefa, national governments, and continental football bodies. The plan would have sought $4.2 billion from minority investors in Fifa Forward Enterprise while Fifa retained majority control.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has lost the confidence of European football's governing body Uefa after withdrawing his plan to allow private investment in the World Cup, which Uefa had dismissed as a "shabby, back room, opaque deal" and threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions over.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial subsidiary that could deliver up to US$40 million (approximately N$660 million) to the Namibia Football Association over four years if member associations approve by 19 September 2026. The funding could address long-standing gaps in stadium infrastructure, training facilities, youth development, and women's football, though the proposal has divided the football world.
31 July 2026 · New Era →
All 41 Concacaf member associations have rejected FIFA's proposal to sell a stake in World Cup business operations, citing concerns about lack of due process, an artificially short deadline, and absence of governance review. The members also questioned the need for private equity investment after the most profitable FIFA World Cup in history.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa president Gianni Infantino defended a proposal to create a private subsidiary to exploit World Cup commercial benefits, calling it "an opportunity but not an obligation" and saying it would unlock previously uncaptured value to benefit member associations, though the proposal sparked global outrage after being revealed.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
African football boss Patrice Motsepe defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, praising his commitment to football and support for Africa, despite growing criticism over Infantino's handling of issues including a suspension decision and tournament format changes.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina has rejected "unfounded allegations" of malpractice by officials who oversaw Argentina's 3-2 World Cup victory over Egypt in Atlanta. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had speculated the officiating team was subjected to external pressure to favour Argentina and criticised several decisions, including a goal chalked off by VAR.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended the decision to suspend a red card issued to US World Cup star Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium in a last-16 match. The reprieve followed US President Donald Trump's direct appeal to Infantino, who insisted FIFA's disciplinary process remained independent, while Belgium's appeal was dismissed as "inadmissible."
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup begins Monday with a record 48 teams descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico, though soaring ticket prices, political tensions, and conflict in Iran have cast an early shadow over the tournament.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Football Association will soon enter an agreement with the Pakistan Football Federation to build long-term institutional ties and strengthen development pathways in both countries. Preliminary discussions took place at the 76th Fifa Congress in Vancouver, Canada, with formal signing planned during an upcoming Fifa seminar in Miami.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received pledges of support from the African and Asian football confederations ahead of his expected candidacy for a fourth term in 2027. The two confederations account for 101 votes out of 211 in FIFA's presidential election.
30 April 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA boosted total World Cup cash distributions to nearly $900 million (specifically $871 million) from an initial $727 million, citing concerns over rising costs for the 48 teams competing in Mexico, Canada and the United States. The increase includes raising preparation costs per team from $1.5 million to $2.5 million and qualifying payments from $9 million to $10 million per team.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Senegal has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge the Confederation of African Football's decision to strip them of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco after their players protested a penalty decision in the final. CAF had overturned Senegal's 1-0 victory, declaring them to have forfeited the match after they walked off the pitch in protest.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of African Football has stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco after reviewing a controversial final where Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest against refereeing decisions. Senegal's Football Federation has condemned the decision as "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable" and says it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, a process that may take over a year to resolve.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco, overturning Senegal's 1-0 victory in the final after the Senegalese players briefly walked off in protest over a stoppage-time penalty. The Senegalese Football Federation says it will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it "unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable."
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Four years after expelling Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have taken a muted stance toward the recent US-led attack on Iran, prompting experts to accuse them of applying inconsistent standards and prioritizing powerful nations over principle.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be "sold out," with 508 million ticket requests received for seven million available tickets. Infantino defended ticket prices as market-driven and estimated the tournament would generate over $11 billion in revenue for FIFA and around $30 billion in economic impact for the US.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to give US President Donald Trump FIFA's inaugural peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, dismissing calls for a boycott. Infantino told Sky News that Trump "objectively" deserved the award and rejected suggestions that the World Cup hosting in North America would be boycotted over Trump administration policies.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Senegal defeated Morocco in a controversial Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, marked by a disputed penalty award, Senegal players walking off the pitch, and clashes between fans and security that have drawn criticism and threatened future sanctions against Senegal and potential FIFA investigation into Morocco's hosting and VAR inconsistencies.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →