Gianni Infantino sets sights on 'new FIFA role' as World Cup controversy takes new twist

Gianni Infantino will look to change his role at FIFA rather than quit following the huge controversy around his World Cup plans.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the FIFA President will look to become CEO, equivalent to the Secretary General.

Mattias Grafstrom is the current FIFA Secretary General and has been since May 2024, but he could soon be replaced in the role by a controversial figure.

Following the 2026 World Cup, Infantino once again shone the spotlight on himself, as news broke of the President wanting to share sells in the next tournament.

Those plans have since been scrapped, thanks to a whole host of nations boycotting them, including all 55 UEFA countries in a joint statement.

The situation has thrown Infantino's future at FIFA into doubt, but Borson believes that a different role could be waiting for him instead.

Gianni Infantino to stay in football despite global controversy

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson predicted a change of pace for the 56-year-old, rather than being forced out of the governing body.

"What you'll see is Infantino may or not survive this. I don't know. But who's actually going to challenge him for the last term?" he said.

"I don't think Infantino will wait until 2031 before becoming, effectively, its CEO or executive chair. I think he will go sooner or later because he's going to want that role.

"Or he'll try and do both. But again, it's just not realistic anymore. But I think going forward, things will change.

"I think voting will change. And I think the power of the smaller nations is bound to change."

UEFA's damning statement key to FIFA events

Football fans across the world were instantly terrified at the thought of what the World Cup could look like should Infantino's plans go through.

Thankfully, the latest news is that they've been abandoned due to the outrage and lack of support, but the President remains in charge of FIFA.

UEFA got the ball rolling when it came to the boycotts, releasing a statement on behalf of its 55 National Associations, calling out FIFA for trying to turn the tournament into an "investment product".

They also labelled the plans, and Infantino, as "irresponsible and indefensible," quickly bringing the entire situation to a close within days.