Gianni Infantino Appears At U20 Women’s World Cup Amid FIFA Leadership Crisis

FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the opening of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Katowice, Poland, as he faces mounting pressure over his abandoned plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights and uncertainty surrounding his future ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Infantino was seen in the stands alongside Polish Football Association president Cezary Kulesza as hosts Poland defeated Argentina 3-0 in the tournament opener. The 2026 edition runs until September 27 and features 24 teams, with Poland among six debutants.

Infantino avoided questions about whether he would seek another term as FIFA president. Asked about his future, he said there would be a “right place and the right time” to discuss it, instead focusing on FIFA’s efforts to expand football globally and provide opportunities for developing nations.

The FIFA chief is eligible to seek a fourth term at the March 2027 election, but his position has become increasingly difficult following the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. The plan involved selling a stake in commercial rights linked to the men’s and women’s World Cups to private investors. It was withdrawn on July 31 after fierce opposition from UEFA and other regional football bodies.

The controversy has now escalated into a legal dispute. UEFA is seeking documents and evidence through US courts as it considers potential criminal proceedings in Switzerland against Infantino and other FIFA officials. UEFA has alleged “criminal mismanagement” over the FFE proposal, while FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign” against its leadership.

The dispute has also created political pressure on Infantino. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have backed calls for him to resign and discussed a possible vote of no confidence, while Infantino continues to retain support from the African and South American confederations.

UEFA has stepped back from a threatened boycott of FIFA competitions after the FFE proposal was withdrawn, but it continues to push for greater transparency and institutional reforms.

At the U-20 tournament, however, Infantino sought to keep the focus on football, calling the competition an important platform for developing the women’s game and giving young players a pathway toward the senior Women’s World Cup.