Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, known as Gianni, was born on March 23, 1970, in the city of Brig, Switzerland. The son of Italians, has dual citizenship and has held the position of FIFA president since February 26, 2016.
Origins and formation
The son of a father from Reggio Calabria and a mother born in Brescia, Infantino spent part of his childhood in Domodossolain Italy, before the family moved to Brig, on the other side of the border.
While still young, he was involved in football as a player, reaching the fourth division of the Swiss system. A fan of the Italian club Inter Milan, he pursued a career in law, specializing in sports law.
With a degree in Law, he began his career in the sports sector as secretary of the International Center for Sports Studies at the University of Neuchâtel.
Career at UEFA
In 2000, he was hired by UEFA, where he distinguished himself in the legal department. In 2004, he took over the management of the legal affairs and club licensing division. Three years later, he became deputy secretary-general and, in 2009, assumed the position of secretary-general.
At UEFA, he was also responsible for institutional relations with entities such as the European Commission and the European Council. Furthermore, he became known for presenting the draws for the Champions League, Europa League, and European Championship. He left this role upon assuming the presidency of FIFA, being replaced by Giorgio Marchetti.
Married and father of four daughters, Infantino speaks six languages: German, Italian, English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
Election and first steps at FIFA
UEFA officially nominated him as a candidate for the FIFA presidency following Sepp Blatter's resignation. On February 26, 2016, in the second round of voting, Infantino was elected with 115 votes out of 207 delegates.
His first term focused on restoring the organization's credibility, with goals of modernization and professionalization. He also sought to expand investments in the overall development of football.
Reforms and new guidelines
During his tenure, Infantino promoted structural changes at FIFA. Among the main actions are:
- Expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, starting in 2026.
- Introduction of VAR in the 2018 edition.
- Expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams, starting in 2025.
It also launched the Forward Programme, with initiatives such as FIFA Football for Schools, which promotes education through football, and FIFA Guardians, aimed at protecting minors and vulnerable groups.
FIFA began working in partnership with organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, ASEAN, and the Council of Europe.
In December 2018, Infantino became the first FIFA president to participate in a G20 summit, in Buenos Aires.
Re-elections and social focus
On June 5, 2019, he was unanimously reappointed to the position by the 211 delegates, with a term until 2023. On March 16, 2023, he was re-elected by acclamation for another four years, until 2027.
During her term, she also introduced regulations aimed at the social rights of female soccer players, such as:
- Mandatory 14-week maternity leave.
- Payment of two-thirds of the salary during this period.
- The clubs have an obligation to reintegrate the athletes, providing them with physical and medical support.
These measures aim to guarantee equality and adequate working conditions for women in professional football.
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