Gianni Infantino under pressure? Delegates leave FIFA Congress after president turns up late following trip with Donald Trump

Infantino has not been the most agreeable FIFA President over the course of his term as the Swiss-Italian football administrator's work has often been shrouded by criticism. On Thursday, his relations with the delegates of a number of European FIFA member associations may have taken another hit after the FIFA’s Congress in Paraguay was delayed by over three hours due to Infantino turning up late to the event.

It is believed that Infantino's trip to the Middle East with US President Trump, which included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani this week, was the reason for his delayed arrival in Paraguay. Representatives from international football associations convened in Asuncion for a week of talks during Infantino's absence, while the FIFA President acted as a member of Trump's extended entourage.

Per the Guardian, UEFA president Alexander Ceferin and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt were among the few delegates to walk out of the FIFA Congress. Norway Football Federation president Lise Klaveness who was also one of the delegates to leave the convention, labelled Infantino's delay as 'disappointing' and 'concerning', and demanded an explanation and apology from FIFA.

Infantino has now released an apology for his delay at the FIFA Congress in which he said: "As president of FIFA, my responsibility is to make decisions in the interests of the organisation. I decided to be the last two days in the Middle East knowing the 2034 World Cup will be in Saudi Arabia and the World Cup in 2022 was in Qatar.

"The 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup will be in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Some important discussions took place in regard to the World Cup, and I felt that I needed to be there to represent football and all of you.

"We had an issue with our flight, which made this delay happen. Apologies. Sorry, and I am looking forward to spending time with you here."

FIFA's focus has been shifting away from Europe over the last few years under Infantino, as the United States and the Middle East have been getting more attention with the next for World Cup's being held outside Europe. Meanwhile, the 2029 Club World Cup is expected to be held either in Australia, or yet again in the United States.