Infantino faces fresh concerns as CONCACAF Chief urges to avoid Youth Tournament
Gianni Infantino’s increasingly difficult position at FIFA has taken another turn after Concacaf president Victor Montagliani asked him to avoid a youth tournament in the Dominican Republic.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing fresh pressure over his leadership after Concacaf president Victor Montagliani asked him to stay away from a youth tournament in the Dominican Republic, arguing that his presence would distract from the event.
The request comes as tensions continue to grow within world football following Infantino’s abandoned proposal to sell a stake in FIFA’s World Cup commercial business.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have all criticised the plan and called for an independent review, while opposition to Infantino’s leadership has raised the possibility of a vote of no confidence.
Montagliani reportedly wrote to Infantino ahead of the Caribbean Football Union’s Under-14 Series, warning that the political controversy surrounding the FIFA president would dominate media attention and overshadow the young players and their development.
Infantino nevertheless travelled to the Dominican Republic and received a warm welcome from senior officials, including Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz and Dominican Football Federation president Jose Deschamps.
The visit comes at a crucial moment for Infantino, who is seeking another term as FIFA president and needs to maintain support among member associations ahead of the election.
His decision to attend despite Montagliani’s appeal further highlights the widening divide between FIFA’s leadership and influential figures within Concacaf.
The dispute also underlines how the fallout from the failed World Cup commercial proposal has moved beyond financial and governance concerns into a broader battle over Infantino’s future at the head of global football.
