FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing fresh accusations of breaching the governing body's own regulations after reports emerged of an undisclosed pay package worth £1.3 million on top of his publicly declared earnings of approximately £4 million, raising serious governance concerns at the world's most powerful football body.

What the Reports Allege

According to a report by British daily The Telegraph, the additional payments originated from a FIFA subsidiary — FWC2026 US Inc — which was established specifically to organise the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filings reportedly show the company paid Infantino USD 1.76 million (approximately £1.3 million) in 2024. This amount was not publicly disclosed in FIFA's 2024 annual report, which stated Infantino's earnings as 4.27 million Swiss francs (roughly £3.88 million).

The USD 1.76 million figure included a base salary, a bonus, and USD 626,229 categorised as "other reportable compensation." According to reports, Infantino was paid similar — or possibly higher — sums in 2025 and 2026 as well.

The Governance Breach Explained

FIFA's own statutes explicitly state that "the individual compensation of the FIFA president must be made public." Critics argue the alleged undisclosed payments directly contravene this requirement. Miguel Maduro, former head of FIFA's governance committee, told The Times that the failure to declare these additional payments is a clear violation. "It is a clear contravention of the rules if he is paid other amounts by companies related to FIFA and it is not made public," Maduro said, adding: "The FIFA statutes impose an obligation of full transparency. It is not appropriate for the compensation sub-committee to authorise other forms of remuneration." He called for formal investigations to be launched.

Luxury Lifestyle Allegations

Separately, The Times reported that Infantino has been receiving millions in undisclosed payments, which he reportedly used to fund a luxury lifestyle in Miami. Neither FIFA nor Infantino had, as of the time of reporting, issued a public rebuttal to the specific financial allegations.

Timing: A FIFA Council Meeting Under Scrutiny

The revelations have emerged at a particularly sensitive moment for Infantino. A FIFA Council meeting was scheduled in Zurich on Thursday, and according to The Telegraph, the gathering of all 37 council members was set to allow scrutiny of the major controversies surrounding Infantino over the past year. This is not the first time the FIFA chief has faced governance challenges; critics have long argued that financial transparency at the organisation remains structurally weak. Notably, this latest controversy comes just months ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a tournament Infantino has championed as a signature legacy project.

What Happens Next

Calls for an independent investigation are growing, with governance experts arguing that the alleged breach of FIFA's own statutes cannot be resolved internally without credibility concerns. The outcome of Thursday's council meeting in Zurich is expected to shape whether formal accountability proceedings are initiated — or whether the matter is quietly shelved, as critics fear has happened before.