Gianni Infantino in fresh Fifa controversy over 'secret World Cup payment'

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Fifa president Gianni Infantino was paid a previously undisclosed $1.72 million World Cup sum, according to Fifa and IRS documents obtained by ESPN. The report, published on Tuesday, said the absence of transparency surrounding the remuneration is a potential breach of Fifa statutes. Records from the IRS show Infantino was given the money in 2024 by FWC2026, the US-based organisation established by Fifa to operate the 2026 World Cup held in North America this summer.