Unexpected Delay in FIFA Annual Meeting
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – The long-awaited annual FIFA meeting, which brings together the 211 member federations, suffered a significant delay due to the late arrival of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.Infantino’s trip from the Middle East, where he participated in state visits by U.S. President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, was the main reason for the delay.
Infantino’s flight, on a private Qatari plane, coming from Doha with a stopover in Nigeria, had not yet landed at the scheduled time for the start of the meeting in Asunción.
Finally, the flight landed approximately one hour before the meeting began, which was delayed more than three hours.
As FIFA President, my responsibility is to make decisions in the interest of the organization. I felt I needed to be there to represent football and all of you.
Gianni Infantino
Infantino repeatedly apologized to the audience, explaining that the problems with his flight were the cause of the delay and emphasizing the importance of his presence at the political meetings in the Middle East.
Officials from national federations have met in Paraguay throughout the week for one of their last major meetings before the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, was also present and delivered his opening speech hours later than scheduled. Peña praised Infantino, describing him as “a personal friend and a friend of Paraguay”.
Infantino preferred to accompany President Trump in the early stages of his tour instead of meeting with the voting members. Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.
On Wednesday in Doha, the ruling emir of Qatar, a member of the International Olympic Committee along with Infantino, offered a state dinner to the visiting delegations at Lusail Palace.
Infantino has forged close ties with both Trump administrations. Former President Trump will present the trophy at the Club World Cup finals in July and at next year’s World Cup, both in New Jersey.
