Lawsuit Against FIFA President Infantino Filed Just Before World Cup Kickoff in the USA

The legal dispute centers on Platini's failed presidential candidacy. Platini's lawyers describe the allegations against him as "falschen Anschuldigungen und unzulässiger Einflussnahme". Infantino was once Platini's protégé at UEFA before taking over at the top of the world governing body after his mentor's downfall. During his campaign for the FIFA presidency, Infantino shouted at the delegates: "It's your money, not the money of the FIFA President".

North America as Host Under Pressure

As the legal proceedings begin in France, the biggest World Cup in football history is already on the horizon in North America. With 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, the tournament will be the largest in history. The host nations are the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The opening match between co-host Mexico and South Africa on Thursday will take place at the Azteca Stadium. The final is scheduled for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near New York. The trophy will be presented by the US President at the final on 19 July in East Rutherford, near New York.

Visa Problems and Entry Bans

Alongside the lawsuit in Paris, other dark sides of the mega World Cup are making headlines. The USA denied entry to referee Omar Artan from Somalia, who had been assigned to the World Cup. The stated reason: concerns during the security screening. According to the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), not only journalists from Iran but also those from African countries have received no visas or only restricted ones. Iran itself reports that 15 officials did not receive visas, and the team itself, according to the Iranian ambassador to Mexico, may only enter the USA on matchdays and must return to their quarters in Mexico afterward. People from Haiti, like those from Iran, are currently barred from entering the USA. Fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast are also affected by restrictions, and there are reports of problems from countries like Iraq. AIPS President Gianni Merlo wrote to FIFA: "Die Fälle sind zahllos und nicht zu akzeptieren".

Criticism of Tickets and Climate

FIFA appears powerless: "Man sei nicht an den Verfahren zur Einwanderung beteiligt", FIFA stated. The World Cup regulations actually stipulate that a team must arrive in the respective host country five days before its first group match. In addition to visa problems, the ticket allocation and climatic conditions have also come under criticism. The focus of the criticism: excessively high prices overall, an insufficient number of affordable tickets, the impact of the dynamic pricing model, and scalping on the secondary market. The decision to set up this resale platform corresponds to common practices in the USA and Canada, FIFA defends itself, earning roughly 30 percent in fees.

The fan organization "Football Supporters Europe" already filed a complaint with the European Commission in March. Two attorneys general announced an investigation into potentially misleading ticket allocation practices. According to researchers, a World Cup has never seen "eine solche Kombination von extremen Umweltfaktoren" due to extreme heat, air pollution, vast distances, and high altitude. In an open letter, international experts demanded additional measures such as longer breaks and the interruption or cancellation of matches at temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius. To protect the players, FIFA introduced mandatory three-minute drinking breaks in each half.

The political dimension of the World Cup is also in focus. The British newspaper The Guardian wrote that the problem was the extent of FIFA's and Gianni Infantino's willingness "als Steigbügelhalter, Verbündeter und de facto Propagandawerkzeug für Donald Trumps Regime zu fungieren". The "Bromance" ("New York Times") between the two alpha males has so far culminated in the awarding of the newly created FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw. In February, the world governing body announced a partnership with Trump's controversial Peace Council. Infantino was also present at the inaugural meeting, at one point wearing a red cap with the inscription "USA" as the Italo-Swiss. Naturally, Gianni Infantino also visited Donald Trump at the White House shortly before the start of the XXL World Cup.

Infantino himself is promoting the tournament as the "großartigste und inklusivste Weltmeisterschaft der Geschichte". Shortly after Infantino inaugurated a few small pitches in New York's Central Park at the beginning of the week, Platini's lawsuit casts a shadow over the planned festivities. The 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, whose sovereign wealth fund PIF is already a sponsor of the ongoing tournament. The sports journalists' association AIPS called on the world governing body to intervene with the US authorities. Whether the legal and organizational issues will be resolved by kickoff on Thursday remains to be seen.