Gianni Infantino delays FIFA Congress after Middle East tour with Trump
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrived late from a Middle East tour, causing significant delays at the FIFA Congress in Paraguay.
- His flight issues resulted in multiple rescheduling of the meeting, leading to frustration among attending delegates.
- Infantino's choice to prioritize political engagements reflects the intertwining of soccer governance and international political relationships.
Asuncion, Paraguay hosted the FIFA Congress where delegates gathered to discuss significant matters related to the global soccer community. However, the event faced an unprecedented delay due to the late arrival of Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, who was returning from a tour in the Middle East. Infantino joined U.S. President Donald Trump on visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where their political discussions were deemed critical for the sport's representation. The Congress was initially scheduled for the morning but was rescheduled multiple times, illustrating a rare disruption of such a significant event in the FIFA calendar. The late arrival sparked frustration among delegates, as it pushed the opening of the Congress back by several hours. Infantino's flight from Doha, Qatar took longer than anticipated, and despite multiple apologies, the mishap raised eyebrows among national federations. Paraguay's President Santiago Peña acknowledged Infantino as a personal friend and sought to maintain diplomatic cordiality despite the frustration evident among Congress participants. The event was critical as officials prepared for one of the last significant meetings ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Infantino's decision to prioritize political meetings over meeting with FIFA's member federations led to criticisms. The FIFA president explained that representing soccer at the international level was paramount. The timing coincided with discussions surrounding the 2034 World Cup being awarded to Saudi Arabia and the historical context of Qatar having hosted the previous World Cup in 2022. Both nations have increasingly taken prominent roles in global soccer, which raises questions about the sport's progression long-term and its relationship with political figures. This Congress was significant not just for governance matters but also set the tone for future relations within FIFA. With Infantino's connections to political leaders like Trump growing stronger, this dynamic could shape the landscape of global soccer governance. In summary, the late arrival could symbolize deeper underlying tensions within FIFA as it navigates the complexities of international relations intertwined with global soccer interests.