jordan pulse -

​By Saleh Al-Rashid
​He swelled with ambition to the point of believing he was an invincible giant and an unyielding dictator. Believing that his closeness to US President Trump and his allies during the recent World Cup finals would make him an untouchable emperor, Gianni Infantino appeared in a dual light at the closing ceremony: a hero and shrewd trader in the eyes of member associations, yet a subservient follower in the eyes of Trump, turning FIFA into a ball for Trump to kick as he pleased. Infantino misread the situation, believing he held Trump-like power to dictate terms to continental federations, leading him into a major misstep by straying from tradition and compromising the spirit of the game.
​Infantino departed from established norms by attempting to commercialize significant portions of the World Cup to economic groups close to Trump in the style of American football. This move threatened to strip the world’s most-watched tournament of fair competition, converting it into an exhibition game driven by betting houses and financial interests. Driven by financial greed and an unchecked spending spree, Infantino sought to secure endless tenure by buying loyalties and votes across nations.
​In response, European football associations acted to curb Infantino's overreach. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to boycott all tournaments managed by FIFA. A European boycott naturally poses a threat that could be followed by South American, Asian, and CONCACAF nations, leaving FIFA leadership isolated. This united European stance forced the FIFA chief to backtrack on his decisions in an attempt to preserve his presidency, falling back on appeasing European powers ahead of upcoming tournament preparations in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
​UEFA and European member associations demonstrated their role as a final wall defending the integrity of global football, while other continental bodies delayed taking a stand. The picture has become clear: unless he chooses to resign to preserve his history, Infantino faces potential removal through votes at the 77th FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18 of next year in Rabat, Morocco. He is expected to face opposition from candidates such as UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin or European Club Association Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, either of whom possesses the backing to challenge Infantino's leadership.
​In closing, on July 18, 2026, I wrote an article titled "Ousting Infantino Is a Necessity and Boycotting the World Cup Is the Way," and on July 31, 2026, UEFA decided to boycott World Cup tournaments.
​Source: Rum Online News Agency