Infantino

Infantino is a surname. The most prominent bearer is Gianni Infantino (born 1970), a Swiss-Italian football administrator who has served as president of FIFA since 2016. Born in Brig, Switzerland, to Italian parents, Infantino studied law and pursued a career in football administration. He joined UEFA and rose to the position of general secretary, serving from 2009 to 2016, where he oversaw regulatory affairs and finances.

In February 2016, Infantino was elected president of FIFA at the federation's Congress in Zurich, succeeding Sepp Blatter. His presidency has focused on governance reform, financial modernization, and greater revenue distribution to member associations. One signature initiative was the plan to expand the FIFA World Cup from 32 to 48 teams, scheduled to begin with the 2026 tournament. He has also advocated changes to the international match calendar, including a proposal for a biennial World Cup, a proposal that sparked substantial debate within the sport.

Infantino's tenure has been marked by ongoing scrutiny of FIFA's governance and by debates over human rights and tournament hosting. Supporters credit his reforms with stabilizing FIFA's finances and increasing global reach, while critics warn of risks to player welfare and the integrity of the game. Infantino remains the president of FIFA, continuing to push reform and development priorities for world football.