FIFA: Gianni Infantino asked not to attend youth tournament

CONCACAF president believes his presence in the Dominican Republic could disrupt the U14 competition

World Today at 07:41

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FIFA: Gianni Infantino asked not to attend youth tournament

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been asked not to attend a youth tournament taking place this weekend in the Dominican Republic. According to Sky News, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani requested that Infantino reconsider his presence, arguing that the governance crisis currently shaking FIFA could distract from the competition itself.

In a letter sent to Infantino on Friday, Montagliani reportedly stated that Infantino's presence at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-14 tournament would "compromise" the technical focus of the event. The CONCACAF chief, who also serves as a FIFA vice president, specifically cited the intense media attention surrounding the ongoing controversies over the world governing body's leadership.

This intervention comes at a time when relations between Infantino and several confederations have become increasingly strained. Recently, CONCACAF, UEFA, and the Asian confederation signed a joint letter calling for the FIFA president’s resignation, citing a "fundamental breakdown of trust"—particularly over his proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new World Cup-related company to private investors.

Infantino still present in the Dominican Republic

Despite the request, Infantino did travel to the Caribbean nation. He was even photographed alongside José Deschamps, president of the Dominican Football Federation, during his visit.

FIFA had yet to respond to Sky News' request for comment at the time of publication. The world football governing body also financially supports the development of football in the Dominican Republic, with a significant portion of that funding coming from World Cup-related programs.

A presidency facing growing opposition

This episode above all highlights the mounting opposition now targeting Infantino as the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaches. Several national federations—including those of England, Wales, and Scotland—have withdrawn their previous support for the Swiss official, while an international fan campaign is calling for his resignation.

Infantino, however, still enjoys significant backing, particularly in South America. CONMEBOL, for example, is championing the idea of a 64-team World Cup in 2030—a project that would allow for more matches to be hosted across the region.

With the deadline for candidacies set for November and the election looming, Montagliani’s request stands as yet another sign of the widening rift within the governance of world football.