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Infantino urged to skip
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was urged to stay away from the CFU Under-14 Series youth tournament in the Dominican Republic amid a “governance crisis surrounding FIFA,” after CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani asked him to reconsider his attendance.
“The media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition”
Montagliani warned that “The media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition,” framing Infantino’s presence as a distraction from the event’s development objectives.
Infantino was invited to the Caribbean nation as a guest of the Dominican Republic, and he was nevertheless “well received upon his arrival,” with Dominican Republic minister of sports and recreation Kelvin Cruz praising the visit.
The dispute is tied to Infantino’s now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which has left his long-term position “under threat” as relationships with major stakeholders are strained.
The Guardian later reported that Infantino was stopped outside a hotel in the Dominican Republic by Sky News US correspondent James Matthews, who asked whether he had “betrayed the game of football,” prompting Infantino to reply, “I’ll see you at the hairdresser’s.”
Quotes and competing narratives
Montagliani’s letter, seen by the BBC, explicitly linked the request to the “governance crisis surrounding FIFA” and argued that Infantino’s attendance would “undermine” the technical nature of the CFU youth competition.
In the same dispute, Al Jazeera reported that Montagliani asked Infantino to stay away “saying his presence would overshadow the event due to mounting opposition to his leadership,” as Infantino faced pressure from three confederations to resign.
Infantino did not publicly engage with the request, and Sky News said he “stayed silent on his future” while being greeted by local politicians in Punta Cana.
Sky News also reported that Infantino was told in a letter that the “governance crisis” caused by the scheme “will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth competition” given the media focus.
The Guardian described the confrontation with Sky News correspondent James Matthews, who continued pressing “Why won’t you resign? Fans, Fifa associations want you to step down,” before Infantino walked away and answered, “I’ll see you at the hairdresser’s.”
What’s at stake next
The immediate political stakes are tied to Infantino’s attempt to repair his position after the FFE backlash, with Goal describing that the project was “scrapped following intense backlash” and that Infantino’s “long-term position” is “under threat.”
“Infantino is aiming to be re-elected for a fourth and final term in office through to 2031”
Goal reported that Infantino is facing an uphill battle to repair relationships with major stakeholders after actions that “jeopardised the stability and integrity of the international game,” while also noting he retains pockets of support in the region.
The Guardian said Infantino is aiming to be re-elected for a fourth and final term in office through to 2031 at the FIFA election congress in March in Morocco, placing the youth-tournament visit inside a broader campaign timeline.
The New York Times reported that Infantino arrived in the Dominican Republic despite Montagliani’s plea, and that he met with local politicians and Jose Deschamps, head of the country’s football association.
The Guardian added that South America’s Conmebol backed Infantino and that Conmebol wants the 2030 World Cup expanded from 48 teams to 64, while UEFA and others have threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions after “lost confidence” in his leadership.