Gianni Infantino’s high-profile visit to Colombia, including attendance at the inauguration of its new president, illustrates how the Fifa president cultivates relationships with football officials and political leaders worldwide. The article examines the power and privileges attached to the role as Infantino seeks to restore normality after controversy over a proposed private-equity sale involving World Cup commercial and ticketing operations.

Infantino travels extensively to visit Fifa’s 211 member associations, attend confederation meetings and oversee tournaments, using a Qatar Airways executive jet that allowed up to three flights a day during the 2026 World Cup. His security arrangements and salary have also drawn attention: Canadian authorities rejected a request for a head-of-state-level motorcade before the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, while his pay has risen to three times its level when he was elected in 2016. Uefa’s threatened boycott of Fifa competitions remains unresolved and may be tested at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland.