Infantino's Controversial FIFA Proposals Spark Backlash

Gianni Infantino, who became FIFA President following Sepp Blatter's corruption scandal, has introduced several controversial proposals. Notably, he proposed a FIFA Peace Prize for Donald Trump, awarded in late 2025 without FIFA council approval.

The FIFA Club World Cup's new 32-team format was approved in 2023, with the inaugural edition held in the US in 2025, despite pushback from players' unions and domestic leagues over player burnout. Infantino mandated hydration breaks for the 2026 World Cup based on data from the 2025 Club World Cup, which drew criticism for commercializing the breaks.

He also proposed a biennial World Cup in 2021, emphasizing financial benefits for lesser-known nations, but it was rejected by UEFA. Infantino's plan to invite external investors into FIFA's commercial operations has also faced resistance, with UEFA threatening to boycott the World Cup if the proposal proceeds, while CAF is still considering it.