FIFA Chief Infantino Attends Caribbean Event Despite Warning From Vice President

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a rare public appearance at a youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, disregarding an explicit request from regional leadership to stay away amid an ongoing governance controversy.

Infantino shared photographs on his Instagram account on Saturday showing meetings with Dominican Republic political and sporting figures during a Caribbean Football Union Under-14 event in Punta Cana. The visit occurred despite an emailed request sent Friday by CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, who serves as a FIFA vice president representing North, Central America, and the Caribbean.

In the letter seen by news reporters, Montagliani warned Infantino that his presence would turn focus away from the sporting event. Montagliani noted that “the media will focus on this situation” regarding FIFA governance, adding: “As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity.”

FIFA declined to comment on Montagliani’s letter. However, the governing body noted that it provides direct funding of up to $5 million to regional organizations like the Caribbean Football Union during every four-year World Cup tournament cycle.

The dispute follows the recent collapse of Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, a project first reported on July 28 by British newspaper The Times. The plan sought to sell a 20 percent share in FIFA’s commercial revenues to private investors led by American businessman Joshua Kushner for $20 billion. Infantino withdrew the project on August 1 after intense criticism from national football leaders and supporters worldwide.

The fallout also included internal turmoil at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, where Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour publicly criticized Infantino’s leadership style and the proposed transaction in a statement released shortly before the project was shelved. Lamour was dismissed from his role last week.

Montagliani has aligned with European football chief Aleksander Ceferin and Asian Football Confederation leader Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, both FIFA vice presidents, to challenge Infantino’s executive authority. Two weeks ago, the three leaders accused Infantino of deception over the secret planning of the commercial deal.

Infantino, who has been FIFA president for 11 years, has avoided answering media questions in public since the commercial proposal was published. In Punta Cana, he evaded questioning by Sky News reporter James Matthews over whether he had betrayed the sport or should resign, responding with “Thank you so much” and making light remarks about both men being bald.

The Caribbean trip highlights maneuvering ahead of FIFA’s upcoming presidential election scheduled for March in Rabat, Morocco, where Infantino intends to run for a fourth and final term through 2031. Candidate declarations for the election close on November 18. Caribbean federations are viewed as potential allies Infantino could rally independently of CONCACAF’s main executive leadership.

Background

Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president in 2016 following a major corruption crisis that reshaped global football governance. The organization oversees international football and relies heavily on revenue generated by the men’s World Cup held every four years.

Tensions between FIFA’s executive leadership and regional confederations—including UEFA in Europe, CONCACAF in North and Central America, the Asian Football Confederation, and South America’s CONMEBOL—frequently surface over revenue distribution, competition calendar expansion, and presidential authority.