Based on the information I've gathered from multiple sources, here are the latest updates and controversies surrounding FIFA president Gianni Infantino as of June 18, 2026: ## Key Controversies and Updates: ### 1. **Close Ties to President Donald Trump** - Infantino has established a FIFA office inside Trump Tower in New York, which critics say violates FIFA's political neutrality rules - He has been a frequent visitor to the White House, cultivating unprecedented access with the host nation's leader - In December 2025, FIFA created and awarded the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize" to Trump during the World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. - Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described this relationship as "excessive" and a politicization of the organization ### 2. **Visa and Immigration Issues** - US visa policies linked to the Trump administration have restricted entry for at least one top referee from Somalia - Fans from multiple nations have been affected by travel restrictions - Andrew Giuliani, Trump's tournament point person, stated that "dozens" of World Cup visa cases have landed on his desk - Infantino called the Somali referee denial "unfortunate" at a press conference ### 3. **Calls for Resignation** - Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit published an open letter on June 10, 2026, calling on Infantino to resign amid the growing controversy surrounding US immigration policies and their impact on the tournament ### 4. **Boycott Calls** - Global boycott calls have intensified across Europe and beyond, fueled by Trump's controversial actions including threats over Greenland, aggressive immigration policies, and recent ICE incidents - While major nations like France and Germany have ruled out official boycotts, high-profile figures including former FIFA president Sepp Blatter have criticized the situation ### 5. **Political Neutrality Concerns** - The 2026 World Cup has become a political battleground, with critics arguing that Infantino's close relationship with Trump violates FIFA's own neutrality rules - The tournament is being described as a "MAGA World Cup" by some critics - Infantino has defended his relationship with Trump as "essential to the logistical success of hosting matches across three countries" ### 6. **Logistical and Human Rights Issues** - The tournament is being held across three nations (US, Mexico, and Canada) with various political, logistical, environmental, and human rights controversies - Ticket prices have been a point of contention, with Trump himself reportedly criticizing them and indicating he wouldn't pay around $1,000 for select matches ### 7. **FIFA's Encounter with Democracy** - Politico described FIFA's experience with North America's "messy democracy" as a stark contrast to Infantino's first two World Cups held in autocratic countries with governments willing to accommodate FIFA's demands The overall picture shows Infantino facing significant criticism for politicizing FIFA, compromising the organization's neutrality through his close relationship with Trump, and dealing with the practical consequences of US immigration policies on the tournament's participants and fans.