Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Gianni Infantino, FIFA, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless
The salary earned by FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been leaked in new documents published online.
Infantino has been in the hotseat for nearly a decade, taking over from Sepp Blatter in February 2016. Later this year, he will oversee his third World Cup tournament when the 2026 showpiece takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Born to Italian immigrants who had moved to Switzerland, Infantino comes a working class background and his law studies at the University of Fribourg allowed him to progress to the highest level in the industry following various roles with UEFA.
But while football fans will have expected Infantino to be extremely well-paid given his position, the 55-year-old's earnings were revealed in US tax documents seen by French newspaper Le Monde, via VI.
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According to the outlet, Infantino's starting salary when he was elected was €1.28 million. By the time 2024 rolled around, his annual salary increased to around €5.27 million.
His main wage is said to be just short of €2.5 million, with Infantino making €1.5 million in bonuses and also entitled to a further €950,000 in other taxable allowance, as well as more than €130,000 for his pension.
His bonus following the 2022 World Cup was purported to be €1.77 million, with his salary improving by a whopping €2.7 million after he was re-elected in 2023.
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The current salary for Infantino is not known but the figure is expected to increase considerably with the Club World Cup and World Cup tournaments in the United States that he has been central to alongside US president Donald Trump.
Previously, a document alleged that Infantino enjoyed expensive personal expenses such £8,795 for mattresses at his home, £6,829 for a stepper exercise machine and £1,086 for a tuxedo.
Infantino will hope to be reappointed and retain his role in 2027 for another four year term running until 2031. However that is the absolute maximum service he can have in the role.
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As part of major governance changes voted on, it was decided that no FIFA president can be in term for longer than 12 years.
Infantino's first term isn't seen as a full one as he came in back in 2016 and it was for three years, meaning he could technically surpass that and enjoy a 15-year tenure if re-elected.
Beyond that though, Infantino will be forced to step down from the position and allow another official to take his place.