The World Cup’s Governance Crisis: A Breakaway Looms on the Horizon

The 2026 World Cup has been marred by controversy, including Donald Trump’s influence over FIFA’s decisions and sky-high ticket prices that have priced out many fans. Beneath these issues lies a deeper problem: the concentration of power within FIFA itself.

FIFA’s actions in recent years have eroded trust among its member nations and their fans. The organization’s decision to award Trump its inaugural Peace Prize last December was a unilateral move by President Gianni Infantino that sparked widespread outrage. The handling of the red card ban controversy, which exposed Infantino’s relationship with Trump, has added to the sense of unease.

FIFA operates on a rotation policy for World Cup hosting, but this has led to accusations that Infantino is favoring certain nations over others. Concerns about fairness have been raised regarding the 2030 and 2034 tournaments, scheduled for Europe and Saudi Arabia respectively.

The organization’s reliance on commercial operations also raises questions about its priorities. The World Cup drives FIFA’s finances, but at a cost: players are complaining about an overly congested calendar that makes unreasonable demands. As Harry Kane pointed out last year, “I don’t think the players are listened to much, if I’m totally honest.”

Each member nation gets a single vote for the president every four years, leading to a system of patronage where incumbent presidents reward loyalty and punish criticism. This has created a culture of fear within FIFA.

Some have called on the European Union to take action, citing its ability to regulate Big Tech. FairSquare’s Nick McGeehan believes that “there is no other way to fix FIFA” than through political intervention. While it remains to be seen whether the EU will intervene, one thing is clear: the current system of governance within FIFA is unsustainable.

The organization’s failure to reform itself in response to criticism and controversy from its member nations has led to a sense of desperation among fans and players alike. Tensions between FIFA and UEFA simmer beneath the surface, with growing calls for a breakaway from the organization altogether.

FIFA’s governance structure has been criticized for concentrating power within Infantino and his loyal allies. However, this is not just a matter of personalities – it’s a structural problem that requires a fundamental overhaul. Miguel Maduro, former chairman of FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, has spoken out about the “system of patronage” that underpins FIFA’s power dynamics.

This system perpetuates itself, ensuring that incumbent presidents stay in power indefinitely. It is a culture of fear within FIFA, where loyalty is rewarded and criticism is punished.

While some believe that only external pressure can bring about change, others advocate for reform from within. However, the EU’s ability to regulate Big Tech could serve as a model for holding FIFA accountable.

For the EU to intervene, it would need to be prompted by complaints from member nations and their fans, or decide that FIFA’s governance crisis poses a threat to public interest. The question is whether this will happen, and what the consequences of such intervention might be.

As tensions between FIFA and UEFA continue to simmer, some are beginning to wonder whether we’ll see a breakaway from the organization altogether. Given the scale of the crisis facing FIFA, it’s not impossible that we’ll see a new governing body emerge in its place.

But what would this mean for the world of international football? Would it be a welcome development – or would it simply create more problems than it solves? The future of football hangs in the balance, and only time will tell whether FIFA can reform itself from within or if a breakaway is inevitable.