Why Kelly - but not Agyemang - should start the Euros final

9 players Arsenal should consider selling after £200m spree

England, beware! Bonmati back in BDO form after Euros scare

How Liverpool could still sign Isak despite £265m splurge

When Kaka's AC Milan smashed Boca Juniors 

Editors' Picks

Schick admits he wanted to leave Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso

Mbappe rubbishes reports he refused to carry Olympic flame

City 'absolutely mad' to sell Palmer as PSG transfer ruled out

'World's greatest celebrity' Ronaldo still underappreciated, says Jesus

Transfers LIVE: Bayern agree €75m Diaz deal with Liverpool

Palmer blow? Chelsea team-mate wanted by PL sides amid Hato hunt

Amorim 'happy' with Man Utd squad but says they will 'suffer'

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Infantino delays FIFA's Congress in Paraguay</li><li>Travelling Middle East with US President Trump</li><li>Several EU members walk out of Congress in protest</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Gianni Infantino under pressure? Delegates leave FIFA Congress after president turns up late following trip with Donald Trump

<p>Infantino has not been the most agreeable FIFA President over the course of his term as the Swiss-Italian football administrator's work has often been shrouded by criticism. On Thursday, his relations with the delegates of a number of European FIFA member associations may have taken another hit after the FIFA’s Congress in Paraguay was delayed by over three hours due to Infantino turning up late to the event.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>It is believed that Infantino's trip to the Middle East with US President Trump, which included meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani this week, was the reason for his delayed arrival in Paraguay. Representatives from international football associations convened in Asuncion for a week of talks during Infantino's absence, while the FIFA President acted as a member of Trump's extended entourage.</p>

TELL ME MORE...

<p>Per the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/15/gianni-infantino-late-fifa-congress" target="_blank"><em>Guardian</em></a>, UEFA president Alexander Ceferin and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt were among the few delegates to walk out of the FIFA Congress. Norway Football Federation president Lise Klaveness who was also one of the delegates to leave the convention, labelled Infantino's delay as 'disappointing' and 'concerning', and demanded an explanation and apology from FIFA.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Infantino has now released an apology for his delay at the FIFA Congress in which he said: "As president of FIFA, my responsibility is to make decisions in the interests of the organisation. I decided to be the last two days in the Middle East knowing the 2034 World Cup will be in Saudi Arabia and the World Cup in 2022 was in Qatar.</p><p>"The 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup will be in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Some important discussions took place in regard to the World Cup, and I felt that I needed to be there to represent football and all of you.</p><p>"We had an issue with our flight, which made this delay happen. Apologies. Sorry, and I am looking forward to spending time with you here."</p>

WHAT INFANTINO SAID

<p>FIFA's focus has been shifting away from Europe over the last few years under Infantino, as the United States and the Middle East have been getting more attention with the next for World Cup's being held outside Europe. Meanwhile, the 2029 Club World Cup is expected to be held either in Australia, or yet again in the United States.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR INFANTINO?

Gianni Infantino under pressure? Delegates leave FIFA Congress after president turns up late following trip with Donald Trump | Goal.com

Numerous European delegates left the FIFA Congress after president Gianni Infantino turned up late following his meeting with Donald Trump.