FIFA president Gianni Infantino has issued an apology for comments he made about British football supporters, seeking to smooth tensions after backlash from fans and authorities in the United Kingdom.
Infantino’s remarks stem from a speech he gave at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, where he said the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar had been remarkable “because for the first time in history no Brit was arrested.” Football fan organisations and policing officials criticised the comment as inaccurate and dismissive of British supporters’ contribution to the sport.
Addressing the controversy in a recent interview, Infantino said:
“I need first to apologise. It was meant to be more of a light-hearted remark to show that actually the World Cup in Qatar was a celebration, was a peaceful event and everyone came together in a peaceful way.”
He added that the peaceful conduct of supporters, including English fans, was positive for the game.
Infantino also used the interview to defend FIFA’s decision to award United States President Donald Trump the first-ever FIFA peace prize.
“Objectively, he deserves it,” Infantino said, citing Trump’s role in bringing about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and arguing that football’s mission of unity aligned with recognising contributions to peace.
The comments come amid ongoing debate over FIFA’s stance on Russia’s exclusion from international football following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Infantino has suggested that the ban “has not achieved anything” and has called for Russia to be readmitted, particularly at youth level, to help rebuild sporting connections.
By addressing both the apology and broader policy positions, Infantino appears to be navigating a complex moment for the global governing body, as FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup and grapples with criticism over its leadership decisions and political entanglements.
