A notable incident unfolded at FIFA's annual congress in Paraguay as representatives from several European member associations staged a walkout in protest of president Gianni Infantino's significant late arrival to the proceedings. The disruption highlighted growing unease amongst some European nations regarding the FIFA president's conduct.
The FIFA congress, the governing body's annual general meeting, was scheduled to commence at 10:30 am local time in Paraguay. However, Infantino's arrival was delayed by several hours. He had reportedly been engaged in meetings in the Middle East earlier in the week.
In contrast to the European protest, the Bermuda Football Association delegation, comprising President Mark Wade, General Secretary David Sabir, and Committee representative Terry Thomas, remained in attendance for the entirety of the FIFA congress. Their decision to stay underscored a different approach to the situation compared to their European counterparts.
The walkout was a visible demonstration of discontent, particularly amongst European members. Eight European members of the FIFA Council – the key decision-making body within the organization – were among those who departed the meeting. These included prominent figures such as UEFA president Alexander Čeferin and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt, UEFA's representatives on the Council.
Other delegates joined the protest, including Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norway Football Federation. Klaveness publicly voiced her disappointment and concern regarding Infantino's late arrival, further amplifying the dissenting voices within the congress.
The incident also brings renewed scrutiny to FIFA's relationship with the United States. Memories remain of the controversy surrounding the USA's unsuccessful bid to host the World Cup, a period that was followed by the US Department of Justice's indictment of several high-ranking FIFA officials on corruption charges back in 2015. Swiss authorities even arrested seven of those officials in Zurich during a previous FIFA congress.
Now, FIFA President Infantino has been seen this week alongside US President Donald Trump during visits to leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, a development that has raised eyebrows among some observers. The US Department of Justice, despite its previous actions against FIFA officials, has not taken any known action regarding these recent interactions.
With the USA scheduled to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, these developments are likely to keep the relationship between the global governing body and its North American hosts under close observation. The contrasting reactions to President Infantino's late arrival at the Paraguay congress underscore the ongoing complexities and potential for controversy within the world of international football administration as the countdown to 2026 continues.
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