Gianni Infantino: The Man Who Sold Football to the Highest Bidder
Zambians, listen up. The man running world football, Gianni Infantino, has been caught red-handed trying to sell our beautiful game to the highest bidder. And we are not having it. This is the same man who thinks he can push African nations around while lining his own pockets. But here at Zed Nation, we see through the lies.
What Did Infantino Try to Do?
Infantino's latest scheme was the Fifa Forward Enterprise, a plan that would have forced countries to sign up or miss out on US$20 million. It was a classic bully move. But when the pressure got too hot, he backed down. His own senior adviser resigned. His chief operating officer told the world that staff had been 'deceived.' And Infantino? He hid behind a 182-word statement, pretending it was all a misunderstanding.
This is not the first time he has tried to push through a bad idea. Remember the biennial World Cup? He drove that hard too, until he had to step back. The man has no shame.
Infantino's Charisma Tour in New Zealand
In March 2019, Infantino flew to Auckland for the Oceania Football Confederation congress. He arrived at 6am, spent the whole day in meetings, and left at 9:30pm. His staff said he never gets tired. But behind the charm, there was a cold calculation. He was there to build support for his agenda, not to listen to the people.
When asked about expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, he laughed it off. But now, with the 2026 World Cup ticket-pricing scandal, we see his true colors. He encouraged scalpers, getting a cut from each resale. He has contempt for the common fan.
From Hero to Villain
Infantino was once popular. He was re-elected unopposed. But things changed after the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the gifting of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, and his cozy alliance with Donald Trump. Now, crowds boo him whenever his face appears on the big screen.
He promised transparency, but Fifa is murkier than ever. He favors an autocratic approach, circumventing checks and balances. He avoids the media. He is drunk on power.
But Is He All Bad?
Let's be fair. Infantino has boosted Fifa's revenues from US$502 million in 2016 to US$2.6 billion in 2025. The expanded Club World Cup is loved in Africa and Asia, where teams are searching for global relevance. The Fifa Series has helped nations like Zambia get meaningful matches. He has pushed for wealth redistribution, aware of the huge disparity between Europe and the rest.
But he has lost his way. He is detached from reality, bereft of empathy for the common fan. And his power has corrupted him.
The Questions We Would Ask Infantino
If I had the chance to interview Infantino again, two questions would be at the top of my list.
Where Does It End?
Infantino has an estimated US$25 million personal wealth. He has free travel for life from Qatar airlines. He is a VIP guest at every Fifa tournament. He has world leaders on speed dial. But how much is enough? As Bud Fox asked Gordon Gecko: 'How many boats can you water-ski behind?'
Does He Care About His Legacy?
Infantino has four daughters. Does he care what they think? In life, you can lie to everyone. But deep down, no one can lie to their kids.
Europe vs. The Rest: The Real Problem
While Uefa's united front against Infantino is admirable, they are not the white knights. The concentration of money and power in Europe has sucked the life out of other leagues. In 1986, 15 members of Argentina's World Cup squad were domestic-based. In 2026, that figure was two. The Champions League continues to encroach on the calendar. Other confederations are improving, but the gulf between Europe and the rest seems as big as ever.
Zambia, we must stand together. We cannot let foreign elites sell our football. We must control our own resources. We must protect our heritage. Zed Nation will always put Zambian interests first.