Gianni Infantino’s childhood experiences of bullying have returned to the spotlight as questions intensify over his leadership of world football. The FIFA president has previously described how his appearance and Italian background made him a target while growing up in Switzerland. Contrary to the impression given by some recent reports, however, this is not a new disclosure.
The comments were originally made in November 2022, on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar. They were revisited in a profile published on 31 July 2026, which examined Infantino’s journey from a small Swiss town to the most powerful position in global football. The original remarks provide an insight into how Infantino presents his own experience of prejudice, although he has not explicitly said that it shapes every aspect of his leadership at FIFA.
Bullied for his appearance and Italian roots
Infantino was born in Brig, Switzerland, in 1970 to working-class Italian immigrant parents. His father, Vincenzo, worked on the region’s night-train service, while his mother, Maria, was employed at a railway station kiosk. According to The Sun’s profile by Etienne Fermie, Infantino grew up with bright red hair and freckles and developed an early obsession with football.
His family’s Italian heritage reportedly became a more serious source of hostility than his appearance. Infantino has described feeling like a foreigner despite being born and raised in Switzerland. Those experiences later formed part of his explanation for why he believed he understood the effects of exclusion and discrimination.
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The subject emerged during Infantino’s 57-minute press conference before the 2022 World Cup. As quoted by The Guardian’s original report by Sean Ingle, Infantino said: “As a child I was bullied – because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian, so imagine.” He explained that his response was to withdraw, cry and eventually attempt to engage with people and make friends.
From local football to FIFA president
Infantino was a devoted Inter Milan supporter and attempted to play football himself, but progressed no further than the third team of his local club, FC Brig-Glis. After abandoning hopes of a playing career, he studied law at the University of Fribourg. His professional path eventually led him into football administration.
He joined UEFA in 2000 and became the organisation’s general secretary nine years later. Infantino was elected FIFA president in February 2016 following the corruption crisis that brought down Sepp Blatter’s administration and ended Michel Platini’s hopes of taking the job. He was elected on a promise to restore FIFA’s reputation and return football to the centre of the organisation’s work.
A personal story shadowed by controversy
Infantino used his childhood story in 2022 to explain why he favoured dialogue over confrontation when dealing with discrimination. However, the setting made his comments deeply contentious. He drew parallels between his experiences and those of migrant workers, LGBTQ+ people and other groups facing discrimination in Qatar, prompting criticism from journalists and human-rights organisations.
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It would therefore be misleading to present the story solely as evidence of a leadership philosophy built around equality and inclusion. Infantino has repeatedly used his background to explain his outlook, but his record as FIFA president continues to be judged by the organisation’s decisions and policies. The childhood account offers personal context, not proof of how FIFA has handled every discrimination case under his leadership.
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