FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has been urged to reconsider his planned appearance at a Caribbean youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic amid growing opposition to a controversial proposal involving the commercialisation of the World Cup.
According to Sky News, CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani wrote to Infantino on Friday asking him not to attend the Caribbean Football Union Under-14 tournament, warning that his presence could divert attention from the young players and the purpose of the competition.
Montagliani, who is also a FIFA vice-president, said the dispute over plans to bring private investors into a new World Cup venture had created a governance crisis that was attracting considerable media attention.
He argued that Infantino’s attendance could overshadow the tournament’s developmental objectives.
“I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity,” Montagliani wrote.
Infantino was reportedly invited to the event before regional football officials became aware of the investment proposal.
World Cup proposal triggers backlash
The controversy centres on plans to sell a 20 per cent stake in a new World Cup-related venture to private investors.
The proposal, details of which reportedly emerged last month, has angered several football officials who complained that they were not adequately consulted before the plans were advanced.
CONCACAF later joined UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation in challenging Infantino’s handling of the matter.
In a joint letter, the confederations described the process as a “fundamental breach of trust” and accused the FIFA president of disregarding the collective governance structure that had given him authority.
Pressure mounts on Infantino
The dispute has also intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.
Football associations including England, Wales and Scotland have reportedly withdrawn earlier letters supporting his candidacy, while fan groups have launched an international campaign calling for his resignation.
The deadline for presidential candidates to declare their bids is in November.
Despite the growing opposition, Infantino continues to enjoy support from some football authorities.
Mexico, a co-host of the 2026 World Cup, remains behind him, while Canada and the United States have voiced criticism of his leadership.
South American governing body CONMEBOL has also maintained its support for Infantino and backed a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams.
Infantino arrived in the Dominican Republic on Friday and received a welcome from local officials in Punta Cana.
He was also pictured alongside Dominican Republic Football Association president Jose Deschamps.
However, when Sky News questioned him about the criticism and calls for his resignation, Infantino did not directly respond to questions about his political future.
FIFA funding complicates dispute
FIFA provides millions of dollars in development funding to the Dominican Republic, with a significant portion of the organisation’s revenue generated through World Cup activities.
That financial connection has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding Infantino’s visit.
For CONCACAF officials, however, the immediate priority remains ensuring that the Under-14 tournament stays focused on youth development and football rather than becoming a backdrop to the escalating dispute over FIFA’s governance.
FIFA had not publicly responded to Montagliani’s request at the time of the report.
