Fact Check: Did FIFA summon Gianni Infantino over alleged 2022 World Cup corruption?

The viral post also prompted some social media users to accuse Infantino of still favoring Argentina in the 2026 World Cup
FIFA President Gianni Infantino follows a friendly soccer match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (AP Photo/Riza Ozel)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino follows a friendly soccer match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (AP Photo/Riza Ozel)

WASHINGTON, DC: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup nearing its conclusion and FIFA president Gianni Infantino once again in the spotlight over criticism surrounding the tournament's governance, a viral claim has reignited long-running controversy over the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Recent reports focused on calls for investigations into Infantino's conduct over separate issues linked to the ongoing tournament. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Gianni Infantino to face FIFA Congress at the end of 2026 World Cup



The rumor appears to have originated from an X account named Fanbrizio Rovaldo, which claimed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino would face questioning at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup over alleged favoritism toward Argentina during the 2022 tournament.

The post stated, "FIFA President Gianni Infantino will face the FIFA Congress at the end of the World Cup."

It further claimed, "He has been summoned for questioning over alleged corruption and favoritism towards Argentina in 2022."

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino pose for a photo, at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Suzanne Plunkett - Pool / Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino pose for a photo at a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on October 13, 2025, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (Suzanne Plunkett - Pool / Getty Images)

Within a few hours of being posted, the claim had attracted more than 2.5 million views and numerous comments.

One user wrote, "Transparency and accountability are essential for the growth of football. Hopefully, everything is handled fairly, and the truth comes out through the proper process. The game deserves trust and integrity." Another commenter said, "About time. They need to fire him and strip Argentina of that corrupted trophy."

A third user wrote, "He is corrupted and they should give us an opportunity to explain things to the Congress. He still favors Argentina in 2026, too." Also, several other users questioned whether the viral claim was actually true.

Fact Check: False, no credible report supports the claim

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak to members of the press following a meeting at the White House on September 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. The U.S. will help host the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak to members of the press following a meeting at the White House on September 09, 2019, in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The claim is false. No credible reports confirm that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been summoned to appear before the FIFA Congress at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup over alleged corruption or favoritism toward Argentina during the 2022 tournament.

The rumor originated from a parody account and spread widely across social media without any supporting evidence from FIFA, credible news organizations, or official statements.

Although Infantino is facing separate ethics complaints, including allegations related to political neutrality over his interactions with President Donald Trump and the suspension of a US player, none of those cases involve the specific claim that he was summoned over alleged favoritism toward Argentina in 2022.

Under the FIFA Code of Ethics, FIFA's independent Ethics Committee handles complaints through its Investigatory Chamber, which examines allegations, and its Adjudicatory Chamber, which rules on potential violations such as corruption, conflicts of interest, or breaches of political neutrality.

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