BREAKING: Infantino Faces Scrutiny Over Secret $1.72m World Cup Payment

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under fresh controversy after previously undisclosed documents revealed that he received an additional $1.72 million in compensation from the United States-based entity responsible for managing the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to documents from FIFA and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the payment was made in 2024 by FWC2026, the official entity established by FIFA to manage and operate the tournament.

The additional compensation was separate from Infantino's regular FIFA salary and benefits, which amounted to 4.274 million Swiss francs, approximately $4.86 million, in 2024.

However, the extra payment was not disclosed in FIFA's 2024 annual report, raising questions about transparency and whether the arrangement complied with the organisation's statutes on the public disclosure of senior officials' compensation.

The development has placed the FIFA president under renewed scrutiny as the organisation prepared for the 2026 World Cup, which was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to the available documents, the latest publicly accessible IRS filing for FWC2026 covers the 2024 financial year.

IRS Documents Reveal Additional $1.72m Payment

The payment was identified in FWC2026's IRS Form 990, an annual filing required for certain nonprofit organisations operating in the United States.

The document shows that Infantino received $1.72 million from the entity in 2024, in addition to his regular remuneration from FIFA.

FIFA's financial reports for the same year listed his salary and benefits at 4.274 million Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately $4.86 million.

The additional payment was not included in FIFA's published 2024 annual report, which detailed the compensation of the organisation's senior leadership.

The lack of disclosure has raised questions about whether Infantino's total compensation was made public in accordance with FIFA's governance requirements.

The documents establish that the additional payment was reported by FWC2026, but the circumstances surrounding the arrangement and the reason it was not included in FIFA's annual report have become central to the controversy.

What FIFA's Statutes Say About Presidential Pay

The controversy centres on Article 43, paragraph 13 of FIFA's statutes, which outlines the responsibilities of the organisation's Compensation Sub-Committee.

The provision states:

"The Compensation Sub-Committee shall in particular define Compensation Rules and determine the compensation of the FIFA President, the members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary General."

"The individual compensation of the FIFA President, the members of the Council and the FIFA Secretary General shall be made public."

The requirement makes public disclosure of the FIFA president's individual compensation a central part of the organisation's governance framework.

The additional payment from FWC2026 has therefore prompted questions about whether compensation received through an entity associated with FIFA should also have been disclosed in the organisation's annual report.

However, the available information does not establish a definitive legal or regulatory finding that FIFA's statutes were breached.

When contacted by text message, a FIFA spokesperson rejected suggestions that the organisation had violated its rules.

"FIFA fully complies with all reporting requirements and strongly rejects any suggestion there has been a violation of FIFA's Statutes."

The response represents FIFA's position on the matter, although it does not explain in detail why the additional payment was absent from the 2024 annual report.

Infantino's World Cup Investment Plan Also Drew Criticism

The latest scrunity comes after a separate controversy involving Infantino's reported plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to outside investors.

Earlier in the year, details emerged of a proposal dubbed Football Forward Enterprises (FFP), through which Infantino sought to attract external investment into the tournament.

The proposed investors were led by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump.

The proposal attracted scrutiny amid concerns about the direction of FIFA's commercial strategy and the relationships surrounding the organisation's leadership.

Infantino has maintained close ties with Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and has made regular visits to the White House.

The investment proposal and the latest compensation disclosure have added to questions surrounding FIFA's governance, financial transparency and decision-making under Infantino's leadership.

UEFA and Other Confederations Demanded Infantino's Resignation

The proposed World Cup investment have also triggered a backlash from the leadership of several continental football bodies.

The heads of UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) demanded Infantino's resignation following the dispute.

UEFA also threatened to boycott future FIFA events, escalating tensions between the governing body and some of its continental confederations.

However, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, which concluded in September, went ahead as scheduled.

Infantino subsequently attempted to ease tensions through a letter to the confederation leaders, agreeing with a proposal to distribute $10 million to each FIFA member association.

The move formed part of efforts to repair relations following the dispute, although the latest compensation revelations could place FIFA's leadership under renewed pressure.

Balogun Red-Card Controversy Added to FIFA President's Problems

Infantino has also faced criticism over his handling of a disciplinary issue involving United States forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.

Balogun received a red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.

The dismissal was expected to result in a suspension for the Americans' round-of-16 match against Belgium.

However, following a call from Trump to Infantino about the suspension, Balogun received a reprieve in the form of probation, allowing him to play against Belgium.

The United States subsequently lost the encounter 4-1.

The decision attracted criticism over the handling of the disciplinary process, particularly because of the reported involvement of the US president.

The episode has become another point of scrutiny surrounding Infantino's leadership, alongside the investment proposal and questions over his additional compensation.

FIFA Council Set for Meeting in Zurich

The latest disclosure comes as FIFA prepares for its next Council meeting, scheduled for Thursday in Zurich.

The meeting provides a potential opportunity for the organisation's leadership to address issues affecting its governance and preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

However, it remains unclear whether Infantino's additional compensation from FWC2026 will feature on the agenda or whether FIFA will issue a more detailed explanation of the payment and its disclosure arrangements.

For now, the IRS filing establishes that Infantino received $1.72 million from the World Cup entity in 2024, separate from his regular FIFA remuneration.

The central question is whether the payment was disclosed in accordance with the organisation's rules and why it was not included in the published annual report.

FIFA has denied any violation of its statutes, while Maduro has argued that compensation paid through related entities should be subject to full transparency.