Gianni Infantino

Is there anything good about the 2034 World Cup going to Saudi Arabia?

The magic of a winter World Cup can brighten the darkest days of the season in this part of the world

Sat Dec 14 2024 - 06:00

European leagues set to oppose any attempt to stage a Saudi World Cup in winter

The Middle East nation is set to be awarded the 2034 finals at an online Fifa Congress on Wednesday

Tue Dec 10 2024 - 19:41

Lily Agg unsurprised by lack of Fifa engagement over Saudi deal

Midfielder is one of five Republic of Ireland players to have signed letter objecting to sponsorship deal

Tue Nov 26 2024 - 06:00

The ‘mistake’ that is Fifa’s Club World Cup looms large. But will it even happen?

Sponsors and broadcasters are biding their time while the players’ union has filed a lawsuit over plans for 2025 event

Tue Nov 19 2024 - 13:22

Gianni Infantino to avoid spotlight with 2026 World Cup draw held virtually

Controversy remains over decision to give the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia

Wed Nov 13 2024 - 10:25

Irish players get behind letter to Fifa opposing Saudi Aramco’s World Cup sponsorship

Five Irish internationals were among 106 pro players from 24 countries to sign the letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino

Mon Oct 21 2024 - 16:31

Women’s World Cup failing to make a dent in the TV screens of sports-mad Australians

Brisbane letter: Fifa’s decision to keep matches behind a paywall means locals are missing out as rugby, AFL and cricket dominate

Mon Jul 24 2023 - 19:51

Gianni Infantino confirms Fifa will not directly pay bonuses to players but to associations

All 736 players are expected to be played a minimum of €28k for taking part in the tournament

Wed Jul 19 2023 - 11:34

The crassest leader in global sport - Gianni Infantino’s actions at Fifa remain more dangerous than his words

A lack of proper checks and balances, open debate, or scrutiny from the public or press, is always a recipe for bad things to happen

Mon Mar 20 2023 - 09:46

‘I don’t know why you’d want to play that sport because it’s dreadful to watch’: The sports quotes of the year

From guff-spouting pundits to a party-loving Ronan O’Gara, here are the quips, bloopers and characters who marked the sporting feats of 2022

Mon Dec 26 2022 - 10:00

Doha fever dream: Tales from the protest World Cup

Long before Gianni Infantino’s jaw-dropping opening monologue this was always going to be a troubling celebration of the world game

Sun Dec 18 2022 - 12:00

Michael Walker: Have a great final but let’s not forget how Fifa landed us here

Politics and sport remain inextricably intertwined and the shadow of the Qatar World Cup will linger for a long time

Sat Dec 17 2022 - 06:00

Infantino is further proof that celebrity sporting administrators are never a good thing

The Fifa president’s white runners are a sign that he wants to be known as more than just a dull functionary

Sat Dec 17 2022 - 06:00

Infantino and Greek MEP Eva Kaili have made similar statements in speeches praising Qatar

Both have questioned Europe’s right to dispense ‘moral lessons’ or ‘lectures’ to Qatar

Thu Dec 15 2022 - 21:26

Kevin Kilbane: Football, protests and geo-politics flow downstream together in Doha

It is disappointing that England, unlike Germany and Iran, chose to duck all controversy

Sat Nov 26 2022 - 06:00

The Irish Times view on the latest World Cup controversy

Fifa has shown its true colours in its move to ban the use of OneLove armbands.

Mon Nov 21 2022 - 21:00

Joanne O’Riordan: Dear Gianni Infantino, I too feel disabled – because I actually have a disability

An open letter to the head of Fifa: Before you claim to identify with my struggle, try travelling a mile in my wheelchair

Sun Nov 20 2022 - 19:00

Fifa and EA Sports end two-decade video game partnership

Electronic Arts to rename the hugely popular video game EA Sports FC

Tue May 10 2022 - 18:25

Women’s World Cup: Call goes up for qualifier venue switch

September’s crucial game against Finland set for Tallaght, but pressure mounts for Aviva

Wed Apr 13 2022 - 21:49

World Cup 2022: England get favourable draw; Spain paired with Germany

Southgate’s side face USA and Iran with Scotland, Wales or Ukraine clash on cards

Fri Apr 01 2022 - 22:30

Fifa and Qatar criticised as dispute breaks out ahead of World Cup draw

Qatar World Cup chief and Norwegian FA president clash at Fifa Congress

Thu Mar 31 2022 - 22:30

Qatar World Cup soon to be added to Fifa’s dismal and shameless history

Echoes of 1978 tournament could be heard clearly during 2018 World Cup in Russia

Sat Mar 05 2022 - 10:00

Uefa president says plans to hold biennial World Cup a ‘no go’

Ceferin also launches fresh attack on attempts to form European super league

Thu Mar 03 2022 - 15:58

Joanne O’Riordan: Sport too greedy and self-serving to see through wily Putin

World’s sporting bodies have long been used by the Russian leader for his own nefarious ends

Thu Mar 03 2022 - 06:00

Fifa and Uefa suspend Russian teams from international and club game

Uefa also cancels its €40 million a year sponsorship deal with Gazprom

Tue Mar 01 2022 - 06:00

Keith Duggan: Putin has manipulated sport from the outset of his leadership

Folly of granting prestige events to Russia will form vital component in future assessments

Sat Feb 26 2022 - 06:00

Champions League final in May is moved from St Petersburg to Paris

September’s Formula One Russian Grand Prix is cancelled

Fri Feb 25 2022 - 17:40

IOC members fume over plans for biennial soccer World Cup

It would clash with Summer Olympics while also denting the Games’ commercial appeal

Thu Feb 03 2022 - 08:50

Football and the Olympics have become geopolitical bargaining chips

Johnny Watterson: Affronts come so fast that we lose the ability to react accordingly

Fri Jan 28 2022 - 05:35

Biennial World Cup would ‘cannibalise’ women’s game, says Ceferin

Uefa president reiterates his opposition to plans being developed by Fifa

Thu Dec 30 2021 - 18:16

Johnny Watterson: WTA’s stance on China and Peng Shuai is a rare moral victory

Association stands by its founding principles - something unheard of in modern sport

Fri Dec 03 2021 - 06:32

Qatar PR drive ahead of World Cup should be treated with scepticism

Sportswashing benefiting Gulf state’s reputation - but what’s the reality on the ground?

Mon Nov 22 2021 - 09:14

European Leagues reject Fifa’s World Cup proposal

Dissenting organisation includes Premier League, EFL and SPFL among its members

Fri Oct 22 2021 - 18:50

European clubs warn of ‘destructive’ impact of Fifa’s reform plans

Statement hits out at controversial plans which include a World Cup every two years

Fri Sept 24 2021 - 11:39