Gianni Infantino did not appreciate being asked if he’d lost control of his own tournament. The FIFA president brushed off a pointed question from BBC sports editor Dan Roan during the 2026 World Cup with a simple instruction: relax.
“Calm down, relax,” Infantino said. He followed it up in Spanish: “Tranquilo, relájate.”
The exchange came amid a tournament that had plenty of drama on the field — sold-out crowds, upsets, standout individual performances — but also plenty of controversy off it. The U.S. red card situation, immigration policy debates, and the usual political undertones that follow major global events all bubbled up.
Infantino’s History at the Helm
Infantino took over FIFA in 2016, right after the organization was still reeling from a massive corruption scandal. Federal indictments hit FIFA officials in 2015 on charges including racketeering conspiracy. He was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and again in 2023. His next election is set for 2027.
Under his watch, the World Cup expanded from 32 teams to 48. The sport has grown globally. But questions about FIFA’s governance and political entanglements haven’t gone away.
Political Tensions and Human Rights Questions
Human rights concerns have shadowed FIFA’s recent decisions. Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup despite widespread criticism over its labor practices and treatment of migrant workers. Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 tournament, drawing similar scrutiny over its human rights record.
Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump has also drawn attention. In February, Infantino gave Trump the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize.” Critics argued that the award violated FIFA’s own rules about political neutrality. According to reports, Trump also intervened with FIFA to get U.S. player Folarin Balogun’s red card overturned.
Infantino has not publicly addressed those specific criticisms. But when Roan pushed him on whether he’d lost control, the message was clear: don’t ask.
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