Gianni Infantino marks a decade as FIFA president after succeeding Sepp Blatter, who governed world football from 1998 to 2015. Upon taking office, Infantino committed to restoring public trust in the organization. He emphasized the need for pride in FIFA’s work and placing football at the heart of its mission.
Controversies During Infantino’s Leadership
Infantino’s decisions have drawn significant scrutiny in recent years. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, his speech addressing perceived moral hypocrisy from Western nations sparked widespread backlash. More recently, his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump have raised questions. Infantino defended awarding FIFA’s first Peace Prize to Trump, who is set to present the trophy at the 2026 World Cup final. Additionally, Infantino faced accusations of violating FIFA rules by wearing a red hat resembling MAGA attire at a peace board meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Pelé Stadium Naming Initiative
Early in 2023, shortly after Pelé’s death at age 82 from colon cancer, Infantino announced an ambitious proposal. While attending the Brazilian legend’s funeral in São Paulo, he stated to reporters: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pelé.”
In a tribute following Pelé’s passing, Infantino reflected: “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé. Pelé had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped. His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.”
Why the Plan Never Materialized
Three years later, the initiative has not advanced. While the gesture honored Pelé’s global impact, experts highlighted its impracticality. Football writer Jonathan Wilson questioned its logistics: “How exactly would this work? Would the football associations of each country hold a grand draw to decide which club would be forced to change? What sort of jurisdiction does he imagine football federations have? This isn’t Stalin changing the name of St Petersburg after Lenin’s death. Why would any country want a stadium named after a great from elsewhere? Good luck getting that to catch on in Buenos Aires.”
The proposal underscored Infantino’s bold vision but underscored challenges in implementing worldwide tributes to football icons.
