Gianni Infantino resists pressure and backs global football

Gianni Infantino’s position remains under growing pressure, but the FIFA president has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding football worldwide rather than addressing calls for his departure. His remarks came during a visit to the Dominican Republic, where he attended an international youth event and met members of the Caribbean Football Union.

Infantino’s comments followed the collapse of an attempt to sell a stake in FIFA to private-sector investors. The six Scandinavian associations — Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Norway and Sweden — said they no longer trusted him in a joint statement, adding to demands for him to resign. UEFA is also among three continental bodies that have formally opposed him.

The FIFA president said the organisation’s priority was to reduce the gap between the leading football nations and the rest of the world, while giving every country greater opportunity. He presented that approach as part of a broader effort to change the balance of power in the sport, a position that can be read as an indirect criticism of UEFA.

Infantino also acknowledged the tensions surrounding FIFA in recent weeks. He said dialogue, communication and the expression of differing views were necessary, urging football officials to share their concerns while maintaining engagement with the organisation.