FIFA: Gianni Infantino Faces New Scrutiny Over Alleged $4 Million Tax Payments

10:25

The financial arrangements surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino have come under renewed scrutiny following investigative revelations suggesting that football’s global governing body paid approximately $4 million in personal taxes on his behalf after he relocated to the United States.

According to an investigation jointly published by The New York Times and Le Monde on November 2, 2026, FIFA allegedly covered Infantino’s entire US tax liabilities over a three-year period following his move from Switzerland to Miami. The relocation took place ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The reported payments raise fresh questions about the distinction between expenses incurred in the performance of presidential duties and financial benefits linked to an executive’s personal circumstances.

Millions in Tax Payments Under Investigation

The amount reportedly paid by FIFA is estimated at nearly $4 million over three years. This would represent an additional financial benefit on top of Infantino’s annual remuneration, which is estimated at approximately $6 million.

The investigation also points to potential shortcomings in the federation’s financial record-keeping, claiming that the payments were not clearly reflected in its official internal documentation.

If confirmed, the arrangements could raise questions about the procedures used to approve exceptional benefits for the organisation’s most senior executive, as well as the effectiveness of its internal oversight mechanisms.

Questions Over Internal Governance

The investigation also examines the involvement of several individuals within FIFA’s institutional and legal circles, including Swiss lawyer Bruno Chiomento.

According to the findings, certain individuals reportedly enjoyed significant privileges within the organisation while also participating in bodies involved in decisions concerning Infantino’s financial arrangements.

This overlap has prompted questions about possible conflicts of interest and whether the federation’s internal safeguards were sufficient to ensure independent scrutiny of decisions benefiting its president.

FIFA’s Transparency Commitments Back in Focus

The latest disclosures come against the backdrop of the FIFA corruption scandal that erupted in 2015, widely known as FIFAgate. In the aftermath, the organisation pledged to strengthen its governance framework, improve financial accountability and increase transparency surrounding executive compensation.

The allegations now emerging could put those commitments under renewed pressure, particularly as FIFA continues to expand its commercial operations and prepare for major international competitions.

The controversy also follows earlier reporting by The New York Times concerning a possible additional salary paid to Infantino through a US-based company established to manage aspects of the 2026 World Cup. FIFA rejected those claims and secured an apology from the newspaper over its interpretation of certain technical terms used in its reporting.

Growing Pressure for Clearer Financial Disclosure

The latest investigation places the financial management of FIFA’s senior leadership back at the centre of international debate. Beyond the reported tax payments themselves, the central issue concerns how the organisation distinguishes between legitimate professional expenses and personal financial advantages.

As FIFA oversees one of the world's most commercially valuable sporting events, questions surrounding transparency and accountability are likely to remain significant for its leadership.

The allegations reported by the two newspapers have not, in themselves, established wrongdoing. However, they have intensified scrutiny of the financial arrangements surrounding Infantino and renewed calls for clearer explanations of how decisions involving the federation’s top officials are approved and documented.