The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has concluded its review into FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s conduct during the 2026 World Cup, opting not to launch a formal investigation into allegations he breached Olympic rules on political neutrality. The decision comes despite significant criticism surrounding Infantino’s close relationship with former US President Donald Trump and several controversial decisions throughout the tournament.
Infantino, who also serves as an IOC member, faced a formal complaint from human rights group FairSquare. The complaint primarily focused on the rescission of a red card for USA player Folarin Balogun after Trump reportedly asked Infantino to review the decision. Balogun subsequently played in the USA’s Round of 16 match, where they were defeated 4-1 by Belgium.
Ethics commission cites limited scope
An IOC spokesperson clarified the ethics commission’s rationale for not proceeding with an investigation, stating that the complaint fell outside their jurisdiction. “The IOC ethics commission thoroughly analysed the complaint by FairSquare,” an IOC spokesperson explained, according to GiveMeSport. “The commission noticed that, pursuant to the Olympic Charter, each international federation (IF) maintains its independence and autonomy in its governance. The IOC Code of Ethics’ scope of application vis-a-vis the international federations and their officials is specifically limited to their relations with the IOC.”
The spokesperson further elaborated that the complaint referred “only to the IF’s decisions on its governance and its management, including its relations with Government, and to the IF’s implementation of the rules of its sport, which are both outside the scope of application of the IOC code of ethics.”
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Controversies during the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, saw Infantino draw heavy scrutiny. Beyond the Balogun incident, question marks surrounded his proximity to Trump, particularly after Infantino controversially presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA ‘Peace Prize’ award. The tournament also faced widespread visa issues that severely impacted supporters, coaches, and even some players attempting to travel to the USA during the early stages.
Trump was present with Infantino at the World Cup final, where he was reportedly booed upon stepping out onto MetLife Stadium. Following the tournament’s conclusion, Trump described the event as a “spectacular success.”
Trump’s UN endorsement for Infantino
Adding another dimension to their relationship, Trump has publicly tipped the 56-year-old Infantino for a high-profile international role: the next secretary-general of the United Nations. Antonio Guterres of Portugal is set to step down in December, with the next secretary-general to be elected later this year.
Securing the UN position would require Infantino to win the endorsement of the 15-member Security Council, where the five permanent members hold veto power, followed by confirmation from the General Assembly. A source close to the former president described Trump’s view that Infantino “is respected by everyone around the world, and recognises he has a special ability to bring people together.”
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