Infantino attends Caribbean youth event despite FIFA vice president's request
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 2:40 PM
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a public appearance at an Under-14 soccer event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on August 22. This visit defied a request from Victor Montagliani, a FIFA vice president, who urged Infantino to stay away to prevent media distraction amid ongoing controversies surrounding his plans to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. Infantino’s attendance comes as he seeks support from Caribbean federations ahead of his re-election campaign next March. Montagliani and other FIFA executives have criticized Infantino’s leadership style and governing approach, particularly following the backlash to the now-canceled profit-sharing proposal. Infantino has not addressed the pressing questions regarding his leadership in public since the controversy erupted.
- •Infantino attended the CFU youth tournament on August 22.
- •Montagliani requested Infantino to avoid the event to prevent distractions.
- •Controversy stems from Infantino’s failed World Cup profit-sharing proposal.
- •Infantino aims for re-election at the FIFA congress in March.
- •He has not addressed media questions regarding the controversies.
- 3:37 PMESPN Soccer — Gianni Infantino defies request to avoid games
- 2:03 PMYahoo Sports — Infantino defies FIFA vice president by going to youth event in Caribbean amid global soccer rift
"Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean and instead made a rare public appearance during the global furor over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. On Saturday, Infantino posted photos on his Instagram account showing the FIFA president meeting political and soccer officials from the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) youth tournament in the Punta Cana resort.
"Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerAug 22, 2026, 3:37 PMGianni Infantino defies request to avoid games
Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 2:03 PMInfantino defies FIFA vice president by going to youth event in Caribbean amid global soccer rift
Gianni Infantino defied a request by one of his FIFA vice presidents to stay away from an Under-14 soccer event in the Caribbean and instead made a rare public appearance during the global furor over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. On Saturday, Infantino posted photos on his Instagram account showing the FIFA president meeting political and soccer officials from the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) youth tournament in the Punta Cana resort.
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