Recently leaked documents have shed light on the earnings of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, revealing a steady rise in his salary since he assumed office in 2016.
Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter as president of world football’s governing body in February 2016, is approaching a decade at the helm of FIFA. Later in 2026, he is set to oversee his third FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to US tax records obtained by French newspaper *Le Monde* through investigative outlet VI, Infantino’s starting salary when he was first elected stood at €1.28 million per year. By 2024, his total annual earnings had reportedly increased to approximately €5.27 million.
The documents indicate that his core salary is just under €2.5 million annually. In addition, he receives around €1.5 million in bonuses, approximately €950,000 in other taxable benefits, and more than €130,000 allocated toward his pension. Following the 2022 World Cup, Infantino reportedly earned a bonus of €1.77 million, while his re-election in 2023 was followed by a salary increase of about €2.7 million.
Although his exact current salary has not been publicly disclosed, it is widely expected to rise further given his prominent role in overseeing major FIFA events, including the expanded Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Infantino, who was born in Switzerland to Italian immigrant parents, comes from a working-class background. He studied law at the University of Fribourg and built his career through various administrative roles at UEFA before ascending to FIFA’s top position.
**Term Limits and Future at FIFA**
Under FIFA’s governance rules, presidents are subject to strict term limits, with a maximum tenure of 12 years. However, Infantino’s first term, which began in 2016, lasted only three years and is not counted as a full term under the reformed statutes. This technicality could allow him to remain in office for up to 15 years if he is re-elected in 2027, extending his leadership until 2031.
Beyond that point, FIFA regulations would require him to step aside, paving the way for new leadership at the world football governing body.
The revelations have reignited debate among football fans and analysts about executive pay, governance, and accountability at the highest levels of global sport administration.
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