The FIFA corruption scandal that erupted in May 2015 sent shockwaves through the football world. Investigators descended on the organization’s Zurich headquarters, seizing numerous documents and exposing widespread irregularities. Several high-ranking officials were arrested in connection with bribery and financial misconduct. Amid the chaos, Sepp Blatter, who had just been re-elected for a fifth term, resigned on June 2, 2015. In the ensuing months, Cameroonian football stalwart Issa Hayatou served as interim president, guiding the organization through one of its most turbulent periods.
A historic appointment soon followed. On February 26, 2016, FIFA elected Gianni Infantino, the Italian-Swiss former UEFA general secretary, as its new president. Infantino assumed leadership with a clear mandate: to restore integrity, transparency, and stability to the world’s football governing body. One of his first major initiatives was the appointment of Senegalese Fatma Samoura as FIFA’s Secretary General. A former United Nations diplomat, Samoura became the first woman to hold this prestigious administrative role, signaling a new era for the organization.
Since then, FIFA has implemented numerous reforms aimed at modernizing the sport and expanding its global reach. Development funds for member associations have increased, providing critical support to emerging football nations. Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) has been introduced to improve match officiating, while prize money for the Women’s World Cup has been significantly raised, promoting the growth of women’s football worldwide. The FIFA Council was established to ensure better governance, and the World Cup format has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams, starting in 2026, to include more countries on football’s biggest stage. Transparency in selecting host countries for major tournaments has also been prioritized.
Financially, FIFA has experienced remarkable growth under Infantino’s stewardship. According to the 2018 financial report, the organization recorded revenues of US$328 million for 2011–2015, US$1.167 billion for 2015–2018, and US$1.746 billion for 2019–2022. Its overall budget rose from $5 billion in 2014 to $6.421 billion, while reserves reached an unprecedented $2.745 billion by the end of 2018—the highest in FIFA’s history. These funds are earmarked for reinvestment into global football development, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to the sport at all levels.
With this track record, Infantino’s re-election has become all but assured. Scheduled for June 5 in Paris, he will stand as the sole candidate for his first full four-year term. In addition to this political stability, FIFA continues to look forward with ambitious plans. The FIFA Council recently approved a 48-team World Cup format starting in 2026 and a revamped 21-team Club World Cup beginning in 2021, promising to enhance competitiveness and global appeal.
Through these reforms and innovations, FIFA aims to leave behind its turbulent past and usher in a brighter era for world football—one defined by transparency, inclusivity, and sustained growth at every level of the game.
