CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has formally requested that FIFA chief Gianni Infantino refrain from attending an upcoming youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic. In a letter sent on Friday, Montagliani pointed to the ongoing governance crisis surrounding FIFA as the primary reason for the request, warning that the FIFA president’s presence would likely overshadow the event.
The tournament, organized by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), is intended to focus on youth development. However, Montagliani noted that Infantino’s attendance has already generated significant media attention. He cautioned that the media focus would shift away from the technical aspects of the competition, potentially undermining the purpose of the youth event. Montagliani, who serves as a vice president on the FIFA Council, explicitly asked Infantino to reconsider his plans in the interest of the sport.
Infantino is currently facing substantial pressure from three major confederations—UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF—following a controversial proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup. As he seeks a fourth term in office through 2031, the FIFA administrator has seen several national associations and key officials withdraw their support, with rumors of a potential no-confidence vote circulating among regional powerhouses.
Despite the request from CONCACAF, Infantino arrived in the Dominican Republic and was welcomed at Punta Cana by Kelvin Cruz, the country’s Minister of Sports and Recreation. Cruz expressed gratitude for the visit, stating that the FIFA president’s presence helps place Dominican football on the international map and creates growth opportunities for the sport. Infantino was also greeted by Dominican Football Federation President Jose Deschamps, National Commissioner of Football Benny Metz, and Olympic Committee President Garibaldy Bautista Lorenzo.
FIFA has been contacted for comment regarding the situation. The ongoing tensions highlight the deepening rift between the FIFA leadership and several of its constituent confederations as the organization navigates a period of significant internal instability. The report also notes that in a letter sent to Infantino on Friday and seen by the Reuters news agency, Montagliani cited the “governance crisis surrounding FIFA” as the reason for the FIFA president to reconsider attending the CFU U-14 Series eve.
