Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Soccer

Gianni Infantino

Gianni Infantino is a Swiss football administrator who has served as president of FIFA since 2016.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Gianni Infantino is a Swiss football administrator who has served as president of FIFA since 2016. He previously worked at UEFA as secretary general and has been an International Olympic Committee member since 2020.

What it is

Gianni Infantino is the president of FIFA, the global governing body for football. He was elected in February 2016 and has overseen major tournaments, including the 2018, 2022, and upcoming 2026 men's World Cups.

Key details

Born on 23 March 1970 in Brig-Glis, Switzerland, Infantino served as UEFA secretary general from 2009 to 2016. He joined the International Olympic Committee in 2020. His FIFA tenure has been marked by commercial growth and controversy.

Why it matters to Canada

Infantino is central to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This will be the first men's World Cup with Canadian matches, involving venues like BMO Field in Toronto.

In short

  • FIFA president since 2016.
  • Former UEFA secretary general (2009–2016).
  • IOC member since 2020.
  • Key figure in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada.
Canadian angle

As FIFA president, Infantino has been central to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.[1]

Quick questions

Who is Gianni Infantino?
Gianni Infantino is a Swiss football administrator and the president of FIFA, a post he has held since 2016.
What did he do before FIFA?
Before leading FIFA, he was UEFA secretary general from 2009 to 2016.
How is he connected to Canada?
As FIFA president, he oversees the 2026 World Cup, which includes matches in Canada.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Infantino
    Supports: Full name, birth date, birthplace, FIFA presidency since 2016, UEFA role, IOC membership, and overview of tenure.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gianni-Infantino
    Supports: Birth details, role as Swiss football administrator, FIFA presidency since 2016, and IOC membership since 2020.
  3. Wikipedia (Polish) — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_Infantino
    Supports: Birth details, FIFA presidency since 2016, UEFA secretary general role, and IOC membership.