Gianni Infantino's fall is not enough — things have to change

Hindi sapat ang pagbagsak ni Gianni Infantino — kailangang magbago

Ayon sa Sports.

Bakit mahalaga ito

Ang pagbagsak ni Gianni Infantino ay nagbigay-diin sa mga malalim na problema sa pamamahala ng FIFA, na nagiging mas kritikal habang papalapit ang World Cup 2026. Ang mga isyu ng kakulangan sa transparency at konsentrasyon ng kapangyarihan ay nagdudulot ng pag-aalala sa mga manlalaro at tagahanga, na nagiging sanhi ng panawagan para sa mas malawak na reporma sa FIFA. Ang World Cup 2026, na gaganapin sa Estados Unidos, Canada, at Mexico, ay naglalaman ng mga hamon na nangangailangan ng mas maayos na pamamahala at distribusyon ng kita.

Key Points

• Gianni Infantino's fall is not enough — it has to change.
• FIFA in crisis: the fall of Gianni Infantino after the controversial "sell-off" plan in the World Cup should not be considered the end of the conversation.
• Gianni Infantino's demise is not enough – Fifa must fundamentally change.

Global football governance is once again under intense scrutiny. In a scathing commentary, Gianni Infantino's fall—after a controversial plan to “sell off” or privatize important World Cup rights—was described as comparable to Margaret Thatcher's. But the point is clear: it is not enough for one person to lose power. This crisis is symptomatic of a deeper problem within FIFA that needs to be addressed before larger issues erupt over the entry of the 2026 World Cup to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In recent years, issues of concentration of power, lack of transparency in commercial agreements, and recurring concerns over the bidding process and allocation of hosting rights have come to the fore. The so-called "World Cup sell-off plan" has fueled suspicions that the sport is being pushed too far into pure commerce, and that the integrity of the competition and the interests of players and fans are being ignored. The call expanded: if there is a leader's downfall, it should not end in applause and forgetting. It should be the wick of deep reform. The World Cup 2026 is an important context here: the first edition will involve 48 teams and a total of 104 matches in different North American cities. The size of the tournament comes with its own set of challenges—logistics, scheduling, and player welfare—in addition to the fair and transparent distribution of revenue among associations. If governance standards are not clear, it is easier for decisions to be skewed in favor of the biggest money and influence, rather than the good of the game. So FIFA needs to get past personality and deal with structural loopholes: clear separation of policy-making power and running day-to-day operations; independent supervision and audit of contracts; full financial transparency and members' votes; stricter and publicly reviewed bidding criteria for tournaments with clear human rights and infrastructure requirements; realistic term limits of officers; and more balanced funding for women, youth, and grassroots, not just calendar flagships. At a competitive level, player health and well-being should also be prioritized amid an expanding calendar, especially in 2026 which could potentially bring long journeys and a busy schedule. The process must be open and consultative—including associations, players' unions, leagues, and fans—to ensure that the expansion of the World Cup does not reduce quality and fair competition. For supporters in the Philippines and around the world, the lesson is straightforward: true accountability does not end with a leader being sent off the stage. What matters is the setting of the stage itself—the policies, processes, and culture that determine how the world's biggest tournament is run. If FIFA can use this moment as an opportunity for serious reform, the World Cup 2026 will be better prepared to deliver not just revenue, but a fair, transparent and truly global festival of football. Otherwise, the crisis will just keep going back and forth—no matter whose name is at the top.

What's next

FIFA should initiate a thorough review of their processes and policies to address issues of transparency and governance. The reforms are necessary not only to maintain the integrity of World Cup 2026 football but also to maintain the trust of players and fans. Next steps should include wider consultation with football stakeholders to ensure the changes are effective and fair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Gianni Infantino?

Gianni Infantino is under intense scrutiny after the controversial plan to 'sell' important World Cup rights.

Who confirmed the fall of Gianni Infantino?

The fall of Gianni Infantino was described in a sharp commentary, which emphasized the need for deeper reform at FIFA.

Why is FIFA changing now?

Change is needed at FIFA because the current crisis is symptomatic of a deeper problem that must be addressed before the World Cup 2026.

What changes should be made to FIFA?

Issues of concentration of power, lack of transparency, and the process of bidding and allocating hosting rights should be addressed.

What are the challenges brought by the World Cup 2026?

The 2026 World Cup presents challenges in terms of logistics, scheduling, and player welfare, as well as the fair distribution of revenue among associations.

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