UEFA and FIFA’s rocky relationship is nothing new, but the European governing body of soccer appears to have turned its ever-deteriorating partnership with Gianni Infantino and Co. up a level with an extensive letter calling for answers.
The reported letter, which was said to have been penned by UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis, outlines 42 specific questions the body has regarding a variety of topics.
These range from the highly controversial and quickly abandoned plans to sell off stakes in FIFA’s commercial assets via the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), reports that Infantino pocketed extra income via the U.S. World Cup organizing committee, and the decision to abruptly suspend U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban following a call between Infantino and President Donald Trump.
According to Ben Jacobs, one key paragraph reads, “A series of decisions, transactions and interventions involving the FIFA President, the President of the United States and individuals associated with him raise serious questions concerning potential conflicts of interest, transparency and institutional accountability.”
The communication also states, “These questions require answers now. They cannot be deferred until the next meeting of the FIFA Council.”
Supposedly, the letter specifically calls for FIFA to answer UEFA’s questions by November 2, with the next Council meeting scheduled for December 16. This follows the recent meeting on October 15 in Zurich, where Infantino apologized once more for the FFE proposal, whilst also fielding questions.
Among the most notable questions in the letter, as outlined by Jacobs, is why Thrive Capital, which is led by the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Joshua, “was signed without prior consultation of the FIFA Council,” as well as why the company was selected in the first place.
UEFA goes on to call for “access to all documents relating to the FFE,” while also asking, “Why has FIFA opposed UEFA’s request for disclosure of documents relating to FFE in the proceedings initiated in the United States?”
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Another fundamental question posed is, quite simply, “Given FIFA’s strong financial position, why was it considered necessary to seek investment from private investors?”
Turning to Infantino, the letter asks, “Recent media reports, referring to filings by FIFA’s (FWC2026 US Inc.), indicate that the FIFA President received substantial additional remuneration which was not disclosed in FIFA’s annual report. Could FIFA clarify the nature, amount and basis of these payments?”
Then there’s the Balogun case, with the striker’s ban, picked up in the USMNT’s Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, having led Trump to contact Infantino directly - shortly after which the ban was suspended for a year.
UEFA points out that “ President Trump publicly acknowledged having called the FIFA President to request a review of the Balogun disciplinary case,” going on to add, “What exactly did he ask him to do, and what was his response?
“Following that conversation, did the FIFA President or the FIFA Secretary General communicate with anyone within FIFA?
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“Could FIFA provide the full written reasons for the decision in the Balogun case?”
But the tough questions don’t stop there for Infantino, with recent reports regarding the fielding of an ineligible player by DR Congo during their qualifying campaign also queried.
Then there’s the big ticket item - namely, the aforementioned Infantino’s relationship with Trump. This includes the decision to award the U.S. President the inaugural Peace Prize in November 2025, Trump’s involvement in the Balogun ban, as well as “The reported seven-year, approximately USD 4 million lease of office premises in Trump Tower, New York, involving Eric Trump, for premises reportedly unused for much of the year,” among numerous other topics.
And ultimately, whilst other topics are addressed in the subsequent questions, it closes out back on the topic of Trump. “In the absence of any prior involvement of the FIFA Council, who decided to establish the FIFA Peace Prize, for what purpose, and who decided that the President of the United States should receive it?" While also asking what role Infantino had "in the creation of the award."
With the FIFA Presidential election in March 2027 rapidly approaching and Infantino seemingly scrambling to repair relationships in order to secure a fourth term, how this potentially damaging list of topics is addressed by the Swiss executive could play a major role in his chances of retaining his position.