Infantino under scrutiny over undeclared millions linked to 2026 World Cup

Gianni Infantino is once again at the heart of an international controversy. The FIFA president, who faced heavy criticism only months ago over his attempt to hand World Cup management to private interests, now features in a Times investigation into alleged tax fraud. The Italian-Swiss official is said to have received millions of euros outside his official salary, putting him back under the spotlight.

• The Times claims Infantino received undeclared funds on top of his salary and bonuses.
• The organizer of the 2026 World Cup in the United States allegedly transferred an extra 1.6 million euros in 2024.
• More than 500,000 euros of that amount are listed as other compensation subject to reporting.
• The money is said to have paid the rent on a mansion in Sunset Islands, Miami Beach.

How the undeclared Infantino payments were arranged

Since 2016, FIFA has committed to publishing the annual remuneration of its president and secretary general. Yet the investigation suggests Infantino had two separate income streams. One was official, paid by the Switzerland-based federation and recorded in its yearly reports and accounts. The other, far more discreet, came from the body responsible for organizing the World Cup to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

That arrangement may have kept a significant share of his income away from public scrutiny. The British newspaper reports that the transfers were not reflected in the documents FIFA makes public, raising fresh questions about the organization's transparency in recent years.

The figures shown in the US tax filing

FIFA's annual report for 2024 stated that Infantino earned 4.274 million Swiss francs. But documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service by FWC2026 US Inc add a striking detail: the president received an additional 1.6 million euros that same year, a sum FIFA never disclosed.

More than 500,000 euros of that additional amount were classified as other compensation subject to reporting.

That specific portion is believed to have covered the rent on a waterfront mansion in Sunset Islands. It is one of the most exclusive areas of Miami Beach, described as a luxury residential complex where living costs are as high as they are private.

What this means for FIFA's public image

The leak comes at a delicate moment for Infantino, who is still trying to move past the backlash over his controversial plan to privatize the World Cup. That move sparked widespread anger among fans, clubs and national federations, and this new chapter could intensify demands for tighter control over the finances of world football.

FIFA has spent recent years promoting a stronger transparency policy, but the Times revelations cast doubt on whether that policy also covers income missing from official reports. The fact that the sums came from the body organizing the next World Cup adds pressure, since the 2026 tournament will feature an expanded 48-team format and unprecedented revenue distribution.

The long list of controversies around FIFA's president

Infantino took over the FIFA presidency in 2016, during the institutional crisis that followed the scandals involving his predecessor, Joseph Blatter. His time in charge has been marked by contentious decisions, including the expansion of the World Cup, the tournament in Qatar and an attempt to create a breakaway competition with private investors.

This new tax-related accusation joins a range of open fronts that include investigations in Switzerland and criticism of his leadership style. The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but the accumulation of cases continues to erode trust in football's governing body.

What is at stake ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams and will be shared by the United States, Mexico and Canada. It represents a colossal financial bet for FIFA, which expects to break records in sponsorship, television rights and ticket sales. Any cloud over the organization's economic management could affect the confidence of commercial partners and the support of national federations.

The tournament will take place across 16 venues in the three host nations. Miami is one of the host cities, and it is exactly where The Times places the mansion linked to the undeclared payments. The geographic overlap adds an uncomfortable edge to the story.