Gianni Infantino arrived in Cali, Colombia, where he was welcomed on the runway by the president of the Colombian Football Federation.

Ramon Jesurun, a close ally of Infantino, took the opportunity to demonstrate his support, as the two posed together for a photo shared on the federation’s Instagram account.

Infantino’s visit to Colombia was not for a routine meeting; he attended the inauguration of the new Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella.

He was joined by Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South America’s football governing body, Conmebol.

This scene exemplifies the life of a FIFA president, where establishing connections with influential figures is crucial, as seen in Infantino’s ties with US President Donald Trump.

Before facing significant challenges related to the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise plan, Infantino had appeared to be a formidable leader.

Currently, after issuing an apology and expressing a desire to move past the backlash of his plan to sell a stake in the men’s World Cup to private equity firms, Infantino seems to be striving for a return to normalcy.

However, challenges remain, including UEFA’s ongoing threat to boycott FIFA tournaments, a situation that will be tested as the FIFA Under-20 World Cup is set to commence in Poland in 29 days.

Infantino appears undeterred, bolstered by the support he’s garnered from regions outside Europe.

But what does the role of FIFA president really entail?

Statesman-like Travel to Oversee Global Game

A procession of blacked-out Mercedes, escorted by police cars, entered FIFA headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, earlier this week.

Infantino had called a select group of FIFA management board members to discuss his proposal to relinquish 21% of the commercial and ticketing segment to a private equity firm.

This is how the Swiss-Italian travels, utilizing Qatar Airways’ Executive jet, which allows him to take up to three flights a day, allowing him to watch two games throughout the 2026 World Cup.

This type of arrival evokes a presidential aura — more befitting a head of state than a sports executive.

It enables him to traverse the globe and visit FIFA’s official locations, like Rabat, where he has been based over the past week amid heightened scrutiny over the Fifa Forward Enterprise issue.

He is expected to visit 211 member nations to observe grassroots initiatives funded by FIFA.

His agenda includes unifying football, a task that cannot be accomplished solely from FIFA’s Zurich headquarters.

It demands international travel to partake in confederation meetings and global tournaments organized by FIFA. Infantino must build rapport with officials and politicians alike.

In April, just before the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, local authorities declined to accommodate a request for a level-four motorcade—typically reserved for state leaders or the Pope.

Similarly, New Zealand police rejected such a request during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Infantino’s operations involve not just travel but also lucrative compensation, tripling his earnings since he was first elected in 2016.

His salary, now approximately £4 million—a base of £2.2 million plus a variable bonus of £1.8 million—far exceeds what his predecessor Sepp Blatter earned, which was £2.6 million in his last year.

Additionally, Infantino receives a ‘per diem’ amounting to £20,500 annually to cover expenses and living costs.

In leading the world’s most popular sport, a salary reflective of his responsibilities is understandable.

Infantino may contend that his efforts in driving record revenues and funds for member associations justify such compensation.

How Infantino Grew Close to Trump

Infantino’s alignment with Trump seems to have elevated his stature even further, although many in the football world suggest it has come at the cost of his football responsibilities.

In May 2025, during a diplomatic tour of the Middle East alongside Trump, Infantino arrived two hours late for the FIFA Congress in Paraguay, prompting UEFA to accuse him of prioritizing “private political interests” and prompting a walkout.

Infantino also attracted controversy when he awarded the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump just weeks before the US launched air attacks on Iran and intervened in Venezuela.

Despite criticisms, the FIFA ethics committee did not respond to concerns regarding Infantino’s political neutrality concerning the award.

Earlier this year, Infantino unexpectedly showed up at Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting aimed at Gaza’s reconstruction, though the International Olympic Committee confirmed that its rules on political neutrality had not been breached.

Critics maintained that Infantino’s proximity to the US president appeared too close, especially when USA striker Folarin Balogun was spared a ban after receiving a red card at the World Cup.

This unprecedented decision was perceived as influenced, particularly after Trump claimed to have personally called Infantino to review the red card.

On the last weekend of the World Cup, Infantino and Trump appeared together at Trump Tower in New York, sparking further discussion over their camaraderie.

The situation escalated with the introduction of the Fifa Forward Enterprise, a plan involving a private investor linked to Trump’s family.

Infantino Rarely Takes Questions from the Media

Infantino has made independent inquiries about his decisions rare, as he seldom interacts with the media.

In the last four years, he held just two news conferences, both lasting an hour and taking place right before the World Cup.

His typical media appearances involve FIFA-produced interviews distributed through official channels.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, he attempted to preempt questions regarding ticket prices and supporter visas.

During the pre-World Cup conference, his admonition to “just, you know, chill, relax” regarding referee Omar Artan’s entry denial caused concern.

By communicating through FIFA channels, Infantino attempts to shape the narrative surrounding him.

A recent FIFA statement included a token of contrition mixed with rebuke, suggesting they would “no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance, and due process.”

Critics Feel Case Against Infantino Is Too Strong to Ignore

The attraction to the FIFA presidency is significant, highlighted by the fact there have only been four permanent FIFA presidents since Stanley Rous was elected in 1961.

For many nations outside of Europe, Infantino’s record revenues have provided substantial support for their football operations, creating loyalty and votes in his favor.

Yet, for UEFA and several national associations, the accumulating controversies surrounding Infantino are becoming too substantial to overlook.

Critics argue that FIFA cannot operate as an autocratic project any longer, especially within European football.

His election manifesto included expanding the World Cup, and an increase to 64 teams for 2030 seems probable if he secures a fourth term.

There are also plans for an expanded summer Club World Cup, engraved with a personal tribute: “Inspired by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.”

The unique allocation process for the upcoming two men’s World Cups is perceived to have favored Saudi Arabia, another close ally of Infantino.

The World Cup draw, characterized by extravagance, prominently featured Trump and Infantino.

Fans voiced concerns over ticket prices, with some unable to obtain visas despite their willingness to pay.

FIFA’s reliance on a secondary marketplace with uncapped prices and 30% fees on each ticket has been cited as prioritizing profit over supporter experience, leading to subpoenas from New York and New Jersey attorneys general regarding FIFA’s ticketing practices.

Despite these controversies, Infantino remained poised for re-election, bolstered by his support among numerous member associations.

Before the World Cup, 111 nations already expressed their intention to support him, providing enough backing for re-election.

However, the situation now appears more uncertain following the fallout from FIFA’s failed private investment plan.

UEFA sees this as an opportune moment to push for his resignation.

However, Infantino’s attendance at the Colombian presidential inauguration illustrates the challenges in achieving such a goal.

Gianni Infantino stepped off a plane in Cali and was greeted on the runway by the president of the Colombian Football Federation.

Ramon Jesurun, a close ally of Infantino’s, saw it as a chance to show his support, with the two men smiling in a photo opportunity for the federation’s Instagram account.

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Infantino had not travelled to Colombia for any run-of-the-mill meeting on Friday. He would attend the inauguration of the country’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella.

Infantino was accompanied by Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South America’s football governing body Conmebol.

This is the life of a Fifa president.

It involves building ties with some of the most powerful people in the world, shown by Infantino’s relationship with US President Donald Trump.

Before the biggest scandal to hit his tenure – the aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise plan – Infantino was an incredibly powerful figure who appeared bulletproof.

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Now, after an apology and stated desire to withstand the backlash of his plan to sell a stake in the men’s World Cup to private equity firms, Infantino appears to be trying to return to business as usual.

It may not be that easy.

Uefa’s threat to boycott Fifa tournaments still stands. That will be tested with the Fifa Under-20 World Cup set to kick off in Poland in 29 days.

Perhaps emboldened by the support he has received from outside Europe in recent days, Infantino is not going to stand down easily.

But what exactly is the role of the Fifa president?

Statesman-like travel to oversee global game

A cavalcade of blacked out Mercedes, flanked by police cars, rolled into the Fifa headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, earlier this week.

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Infantino had summoned a select few members of the Fifa management board to discuss his plan to sell off 21% of the commercial and ticketing business to a private equity firm.

This is how the Swiss-Italian travels – in between flights on the Qatar Airways Executive jet which has been made available to him. The plane enabled him to take up to three flights a day, watching two games, throughout the 2026 World Cup.

That type of arrival does look presidential – only more like a president of a country than a sports body.

It enables him to travel the globe, visiting Fifa’s official offices like Rabat, where he was based over the past week as the Fifa Forward Enterprise controversy developed.

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In his role Infantino is expected to visit the 211 member nations, to see the grassroots projects Fifa has funded.

Part of his remit is to unify football, which cannot be achieved from within the Fifa headquarters in Zurich.

It requires international travel to attend confederation meetings, and the global tournaments Fifa organises. Infantino needs to build relationships with officials and politicians.

In April, before the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, local authorities rejected a request for a level-four motorcade, usually reserved for heads of state or the Pope.

New Zealand police said they had declined a similar request during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Alongside the cavalcade of cars and the private charter flights comes a large salary, too, three times what he first earned when elected in 2016.

Infantino, who was paid about £1.3m 10 years ago, now takes home about £4m – a base salary of £2.2m plus a confirmed variable bonus payment of £1.8m.

His predecessor Sepp Blatter was paid a £2.6m package for his final year as Fifa president.

Infantino gets a ‘per diem’ too to cover expenses and living costs, worth £20,500 a year on top of his salary.

As the head of the most popular sport in the world, it should be expected that there is a wage to match.

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Infantino would argue that by driving record revenues and funding for member associations, he has proven he is worth the salary.

How Infantino grew close to Trump

Infantino’s alliance with Trump seemed to have elevated his status even further.

Many in world football felt that this began to come at the expense of his responsibilities in football.

In May 2025, Infantino had been on a diplomatic tour of the Middle East with Trump and turned up two hours late for the Fifa Congress in Paraguay.

Uefa accused Infantino of prioritising “private political interests” and staged a walk-out.

There was also the Fifa Peace Prize, awarded to Trump weeks before the US invaded Venezuela to depose president Nicolas Maduro and launched air attacks on Iran.

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Despite criticism, the Fifa ethics committee did not respond to complaints about Infantino’s political neutrality over the prize.

At the start of the year, Infantino made a surprise appearance at the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, set up to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.

The International Olympic Committee, of which Infantino is an invited member, said its rules on political neutrality had not been breached.

However, many felt he had positioned himself too close to the US president.

This was heightened when USA striker Folarin Balogun escaped a ban after being sent off at the World Cup.

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It was an unprecedented move by Fifa’s disciplinary committee, with Trump saying he had personally called Infantino asking for the red card to be reviewed.

Infantino insisted it was a decision taken by an independent body over which no-one could have an influence.

On the final weekend of the World Cup, Trump and Infantino appeared together at Trump Tower in New York. The US president said he had called the Fifa president who “made another great decision”.

Then, perhaps the culmination of Infantino’s close association with Trump, came Fifa Forward Enterprise.

The private investor was to be a company linked to the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

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Infantino rarely takes questions from the media

Independent questions of Infantino’s methods and decisions are rare because he does not often speak to the media.

In the past four years he has given just two news conferences, both lasting an hour and held before the start of the World Cup.

Other than that, Infantino generally appears in Fifa-produced interviews issued through their official channels.

Before the 2026 World Cup, Infantino tried to head off at the pass any queries about high ticket prices and supporters’ visas.

But, at the news conference before the World Cup, his reply of “just, you know, chill, relax” about Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been denied entry to the USA at Miami Airport, sparked concern.

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By issuing statements through Fifa channels, Infantino can seek to shape the narrative.

The Fifa statement issued on Wednesday offered some contrition. But there was a rebuke, too.

It gave Infantino the chance to bite back, saying Fifa would “no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process”.

Critics feel case against Infantino is too strong to ignore

The allure of the role is great, underscored by the fact there have been just four permanent Fifa presidents since Stanley Rous was elected in 1961.

Outside of Europe, the record revenues achieved by Infantino have funded the football operations of many countries. That has created loyalty, and it is a vote winner.

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Yet for Uefa, and a few other national associations, the rap sheet is now too long.

Fifa cannot be run as an autocratic project any longer, claim his critics – many of them within European football.

Expanding the World Cup was in Infantino’s election manifesto, and an increase to 64 teams for 2030 seems highly likely if he gets a fourth term.

There was also the expanded summer Club World Cup. The trophy is engraved with a personal tribute – “Inspired by the Fifa president Gianni Infantino”.

The unique allocation of the next two men’s World Cups helped ensure Saudi Arabia, another close ally of Infantino, would get the 2034 event.

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The draw for this summer’s World Cup was a long, lavish and outlandish affair. Trump was front and centre, as was Infantino.

Many supporters felt the price of tickets was too high, while some who were prepared to pay for them were denied visas.

Fifa opted to use a secondary market place with uncapped prices and a 30% share on each ticket sold.

Critics said profit had become more important than the supporter experience, with the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey subpoenaing Fifa to answer questions about its ticketing practices.

Even with all these controversies, Infantino was expected to be re-elected, such was his support around the world in many member associations.

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Indeed, before the World Cup 111 had already declared for him – enough to guarantee re-election.

Now that picture is uncertain amid the fallout from Fifa’s failed private investment plan.

Uefa sees this moment as its chance to force him to step down.

But, as his attendance at the Colombia president’s inauguration shows, that may be incredibly difficult to achieve.