Infantino is threatened by resistance within his own ranks and political volatility worldwide – not least in the ramifications of a vote to host the 2026 tournament
The World Cup in Russia has sailed into view with a new Fifa captain at the helm, two and a half years since Sepp Blatter’s presidency crashed on the rocks of corruption and ethics breaches. Gianni Infantino seemed a callow, unlikely president when he was elevated to succeed the banned Blatter in February 2016 as, his tie slightly askew, he tapped his heart in wonderment at winning the vote of the Fifa congress.
Yet the better clue to how Infantino would operate has turned out not to be that moment of youthful elation but the ferocious ambition with which he had seized his opportunity. He had seemed a steady, bureaucratic type in his former blazer as the Uefa general secretary but he has surprised many with a bullish and ruthless approach to the Fifa presidency, when stewardship of the world’s most popular sport calls for diplomacy, especially now.
Related: Fifa’s ‘hardline approach’ at World Cup will be to take the money and run | Marina Hyde
The Football Association is poised to vote for the joint bid of the USA, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup instead of Morocco unless any major late development shifts opinion.
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