FIFA president Gianni Infantino has become the subject of a playful 'conspiracy theory' after Joe Cole and Gary Lineker claimed the FIFA president keeps appearing on screen during every World Cup match. The Swiss-born chief has been pictured at numerous games across the tournament, which is being played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Infantino's Travels and On-Screen Appearances
Infantino is believed to have taken more than 27 flights during the competition, regularly hopping between host cities. According to the BBC, he attended two matches a day during the group stage - often hundreds of miles apart, and on some occasions, he has been required to take three separate flights.
However, his frequent on-screen appearances sparked debate between Cole and Lineker. "FIFA in general [I've been disappointed with], but what you told me about [Gianni] Infantino, I've noticed it - I can't unnotice it," Cole said on The Rest is Football. "Every game, in the first half and the second half, they have to show Infantino's head on the telly. Just like, you're the head of the federation, just a megalomania about him: he needs to be front and centre."
Lineker chimed in, adding: "You'll watch the coverage. In the first 10 minutes of the first half, the first 10 minutes of the second half, you will see a shot of Gianni Infantino."
Cole's Frustration and Anecdote
Cole went on to voice his frustration, saying: "You said that to me and now it's annoyed me so much, because why would you do that? You know, just go and do what you do and then get off."
"I played in a friendly game with him about five years ago. I was in Dubai, the Dubai Football Federation invited me to play in a game. He was there, there was a couple of ex-players. He was playing in the game and he was just..."
"You're looking at him, he's strolling around the pitch, nobody is touching him - everyone's all like 'oh Mister...' The ball dropped in midfield and I thought 'I could do him here...'"
Cole continued: "I could do him here, I pulled out. The gentleman in me pulled out, but I regretted it because I could have really cleaned him out. Infantino's annoyed me."
FIFA's Explanation and Controversy
Given how many matches he has attended this tournament, a FIFA representative explained: "The Fifa president routinely travels, together with relevant officials, on business and tournament-related matters and strives to visit member associations of Fifa whenever he can. Sometimes travel is organised on commercial [including low-cost] airlines and sometimes it is on private charter, depending on which is more efficient and cost-effective under the circumstances."
Last week, he came under fire and faced calls to resign after allowing Donald Trump to intervene in a World Cup disciplinary matter. USA forward Folarin Balogun saw his one-match ban suspended following his red card in the 2-0 win over Bosnia in the round of 32. President Trump later revealed he had asked Infantino to review the incident. Belgium's appeal against the decision was subsequently dismissed - though they went on to beat the co-hosts 4-1 and reach the quarter-finals regardless.
Even so, the fallout from Trump's intervention is expected to rumble on, with widespread calls for Infantino to step down from the role he has held for a decade. Infantino has been in charge since 2016 and was re-elected in 2019 and 2023. Now ten years into his presidency, he is due to face re-election next year.
