FIFA Council Challenges Infantino Over World Cup Payment Disclosure

FIFA Council members will seek answers from president Gianni Infantino over a disputed $1.76 million payment from a FIFA subsidiary that was not included in the governing body's 2024 annual report. The discussion is scheduled for Thursday as officials examine financial disclosure concerns surrounding Infantino.

According to US Internal Revenue Service filings cited by the report, FWC2026, the company responsible for operating the most recent World Cup, paid Infantino $1.76 million (£1.3 million) in 2024. FIFA's annual disclosure listed his earnings at 4.27 million Swiss francs (£3.88 million) for the same year.

FIFA Council sources told Telegraph Sport that questions about the payment, described in the report as a "second salary", are expected to be raised during the meeting. FIFA statutes state that "the individual compensation of the FIFA president ... shall be made public".

The governing body rejected accusations of improper reporting and said its compensation process followed required procedures. FIFA said it "strongly" denied wrongdoing connected to the payment issue.

FIFA provided a longer response regarding the allegations, saying: "FIFA does not pay a second salary to the FIFA president and complies with all reporting requirements in relation to compensation. The FIFA president's annual compensation, as well as other contractual benefits, are decided by the independent Compensation Sub-Committee.

FIFA strongly rejects any claims that it has failed to disclose any financial information and has violated FIFA's statutes. FIFA accounts are independently audited, and all declarations are in line with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere." FIFA said the matter would be discussed with Council members at the upcoming meeting.

The organization added that it is "fully focused on the FIFA Council meeting on Thursday and looks forward to discussions with its members to further grow the game following the most successful FIFA World Cup in history".

Beyond the payment dispute, Council members are also expected to discuss other controversies involving FIFA. Debbie Hewitt, the FA chairwoman and a FIFA vice-president, has sought documents related to an abandoned World Cup sell-off plan and the suspension of the ban involving United States striker Folarin Balogun.

Infantino is expected to stand for re-election in March 2027. As of the report, no other candidate had submitted a nomination by the November 18 deadline, and candidates must receive nominations from at least five national associations.