Gianni Infantino is under renewed pressure after a backlash over planned private investment in FIFA competitions forced a U-turn, with UEFA leading calls for the FIFA president to lose his job.
Even if Infantino clings on this time, his power is likely to be significantly hindered given the scepticism surrounding his decision-making. The new scandal has also raised the prospect of the Club World Cup being scrapped, a competition Infantino has championed since becoming FIFA president in 2016.
Club World Cup prize money unpaid
The inaugural edition of the expanded tournament took place in 2025, with 32 teams competing in the United States. The competition was bailed out by DAZN, which paid £740 million for the broadcast rights, before a Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-owned company bought a stake in the broadcaster.
However, anger continues to grow as some of the prize money promised to clubs has not been paid out. While the funds earned by competing clubs are said to have been paid, £185 million set aside for solidarity payments to clubs that did not compete in the 2025 tournament remains unpaid. The original idea was for £50,000 to be given to every top-flight club in the world, but there is no sign of the payments being made.
2029 edition still without a host
Further issues could arise ahead of the 2029 edition, which still has no host and no agreement between FIFA and leading European clubs on participation. The competition switched to a four-year format one year ago. A number of nations have expressed interest in bidding, including Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and England.
The most likely hosts are believed to be Qatar or the United States, with FIFA reportedly considering the latter as a way to continue the growth of the sport in the North American nation.
