A convoy of dark-windowed Mercedes vehicles, escorted by police cars, arrived at Fifa’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, earlier this week.
Infantino had called together a small group of Fifa management board members to consider his proposal to sell a 21% stake in the organisation’s commercial and ticketing operations to a private equity company.
This is typical of how the Swiss-Italian official travels, alongside journeys aboard a Qatar Airways Executive aircraft placed at his disposal. During the 2026 World Cup, the jet allowed him to make as many as three flights in one day while attending two matches.
Such an entrance carries a distinctly presidential appearance, resembling the arrival of a national leader rather than the head of a sporting organisation.
These arrangements allow him to travel worldwide and work from Fifa’s official bases, including Rabat, where he spent the past week as the Fifa Forward Enterprise dispute unfolded.
Infantino’s position requires him to visit the organisation’s 211 member countries and inspect the grassroots initiatives financed by Fifa.
His responsibilities also include bringing the football community together, a goal that cannot be accomplished solely from Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich.
The job involves extensive overseas travel for confederation meetings and international competitions organised by Fifa. It also requires Infantino to maintain relationships with football administrators and political leaders.
In April, ahead of the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, local officials turned down a request for a level-four motorcade, a security arrangement generally provided only to heads of state or the Pope.
Police in New Zealand said they had refused a comparable request during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In addition to escorted convoys and privately chartered flights, the position comes with substantial compensation, now three times the amount Infantino received when he was elected in 2016.
After earning approximately £1.3m a decade ago, Infantino now receives around £4m annually, comprising a £2.2m basic salary and a confirmed performance-related bonus of £1.8m.
His predecessor, Sepp Blatter, received a total package of £2.6m during his final year as Fifa president.
Infantino is also paid an annual allowance of £20,500 to cover daily expenses and living costs, separate from his salary.
Given that he leads the governing organisation of the world’s most widely followed sport, significant remuneration may be considered appropriate.
Infantino is likely to contend that record income and increased financial support for member associations demonstrate that his compensation is justified.
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