The 75th FIFA Congress was thrown into disarray on Thursday after Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, arrived more than three hours late—prompting a dramatic walkout by UEFA delegates in protest. The delay was linked to Infantino’s recent travel with former U.S. President Donald Trump on a tour of the Middle East, drawing criticism over the prioritization of political interests over football governance.

The Congress, which was set to begin at 9:30 a.m. local time, eventually commenced at 12:47 p.m., causing widespread frustration among FIFA’s 211 member associations. Notably, key officials from UEFA, including President Aleksander Čeferin and English FA Chair Debbie Hewitt, exited the venue in protest—a move that underscored the growing tensions between FIFA and UEFA.

Political Priorities vs. Football Governance

Infantino’s absence was reportedly due to scheduling overruns on a Middle East tour that included stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, countries with direct stakes in upcoming FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2034. His engagements with Trump have sparked backlash, with critics accusing the FIFA president of using his position to advance private political interests rather than focusing on core issues of football governance.

Infantino missed a state dinner hosted by Paraguayan authorities, as well as planned meetings with various continental confederations. The disruption caused by his delayed return raises questions about leadership credibility and diplomatic respect in hosting nations.

UEFA Leads Public Rebuke

In a strongly worded statement, UEFA expressed "deep regret" over the situation and called out the lack of transparency and respect toward FIFA’s governance structure. The European governing body has long held concerns over FIFA’s centralized leadership style and has increasingly clashed with Infantino’s administration on a range of issues—including calendar management, tournament expansion, and political alignments.

This latest episode only heightens the FIFA-UEFA tensions, adding pressure ahead of crucial votes and reforms scheduled in the coming months.

Broader Governance Challenges

The walkout came amid debate over a proposal from the Palestinian Football Association to suspend the Israel FA, a motion that added a geopolitical layer to an already charged environment. This further emphasizes the challenges FIFA faces in balancing global political sensitivities with its role as a governing body for sport.

Human rights advocates have also renewed calls for FIFA to address migrant worker conditions and civil liberties in host nations—particularly as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.

Infantino Responds

In his opening remarks, Infantino issued a public apology, citing unforeseen flight delays. He defended his Middle East trip as necessary for dialogue with leaders of past and future tournament hosts. However, his explanation has done little to soothe critics, many of whom see this as emblematic of a president increasingly distanced from the priorities of football stakeholders.

 
A Moment of Reckoning?

This incident marks one of the most visible ruptures in FIFA leadership in recent years. With UEFA signaling dissatisfaction and global delegates divided, the spotlight remains firmly on Infantino’s leadership and whether reforms will be pursued with greater consultation and accountability.

As FIFA heads into a critical planning period for World Cup 2026 and beyond, questions linger not just about logistics—but about leadership, transparency, and the future direction of the world’s most powerful football organization.

 
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