This article has been updated following a denial from FIFA regarding the investigation carried out by the “Times”. FIFA’s full response is available in the box below.
New revelations embarrass FIFA and Gianni Infantino. According to an investigation by the “Times”, the governing body of world football would have paid several million dollars to its president without declaring them publicly.
These millions would have allowed Gianni Infantino to finance his luxurious lifestyle in Miami before the World Cup, including renting an oceanfront villa for tens of thousands of dollars a month.
FIFA’s denial
“FIFA does not pay a second salary to its president and complies with all reporting obligations relating to remuneration. The annual remuneration of the FIFA President, as well as other contractual benefits, are set by the independent subcommittee responsible for remuneration.
FIFA categorically rejects any allegations that it failed to disclose financial information or breached its own Statutes. FIFA’s accounts are independently audited, and all reporting complies with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.
FIFA is fully focused on the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for Thursday and looks forward to discussing with its members ways to continue the development of football following the most successful FIFA World Cup in history.”
According to the British media’s investigation, Gianni Infantino received two separate salaries. The official one, the one paid by FIFA, declared publicly and which amounts to approximately 4.8 million Swiss francs annually, and the “second salary”. The one whose amount is hidden and undeclared and which is paid by the company organizing the World Cup in the United States.
It is thanks to a declaration from the American tax authorities that the “Times” is able to affirm this. FWC2026 US Inc., the organizing company of the 2026 World Cup, paid $1.76 million to Gianni Infantino in 2024. This sum does not appear in the body’s annual report. It would have been the same in 2025 and 2026, with higher amounts.
Violation of FIFA statutes
All this is absolutely contrary to the FIFA statutes. Article 43, paragraph 13 of the FIFA Statutes states that “the individual remuneration of the FIFA President, members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary General must be made public.”
