Infantino Defies Concacaf Request to Skip Caribbean Youth Tournament

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has attended a Caribbean Football Union youth tournament in the Dominican Republic despite a request from Concacaf president Victor Montagliani to reconsider the visit. The Guardian reported that Infantino made the appearance while facing continued criticism over a failed proposal involving private investment in FIFA competitions.

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Infantino posted photographs on Instagram on Saturday showing meetings with political and football officials on the sidelines of the under-14 event in Punta Cana. His trip followed a letter sent on Friday in which Montagliani warned that the governance dispute surrounding FIFA could divert attention from the tournament's youth-development purpose.

The Associated Press reviewed Montagliani's emailed letter, according to the report. The Concacaf president, who is also a FIFA vice-president, asked Infantino in the name of football to reconsider attending because media coverage of the controversy could overshadow the competition's technical work. Infantino went to the event regardless.

The FIFA president was also approached outside a hotel by Sky News US correspondent James Matthews. Matthews asked why Infantino had not resigned and challenged him over whether he had betrayed football. Infantino did not address the substance of those questions, instead making two remarks about the reporter's haircut before leaving in a car.

The confrontation follows a broader dispute over Infantino's attempt to secure private investment connected to future World Cup profits. The Guardian said three continental confederations accused him of deception last week, while UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions after losing confidence in his leadership. FIFA declined to comment on Montagliani's request, but noted that it provides direct funding of up to $5m to regional bodies such as the CFU during each four-year World Cup cycle.

The political divisions within world football remain significant. Caribbean federations are viewed as potential supporters for Infantino within the wider Concacaf region, while South American confederation Conmebol has backed him as it seeks more matches at the 2030 World Cup and favors expanding that tournament from 48 to 64 teams. Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term, which would run through 2031, at FIFA's election congress in Rabat next March.