Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) President Samir Xaud, 42, is facing allegations of misusing federation funds for personal travel expenses amid a growing controversy that has captured the attention of the football community. The accusations surfaced in mid-June 2026, suggesting that Xaud used CBF resources to fund trips involving several women connected to him.
According to reports, Xaud allegedly paid for a fitness entrepreneur, Camila Cristina Andrade, to travel to New York and stay at Manhattan’s Hyatt Regency Grand Central for eight days, with accommodation expenses reportedly totaling around $11,500. The trip included a dinner at Harry Cipriani on June 3 and transport in a vehicle purportedly rented by the CBF. After the New York visit, Xaud is said to have flown back to Brazil to attend a women’s national team match against the United States on June 8 before traveling to Mexico City to join his wife, Natalia Xaud, at the World Cup opening ceremony. Natalia and Samir Xaud have been married for more than 20 years and have three children.
This is reportedly not the first time Xaud has been linked to questionable use of federation funds. Allegations also include using CBF funds to cover travel expenses for model and influencer Tamares Fernandes Barcellos, who was reportedly flown business class on Emirates to Qatar for a FIFA Intercontinental World Cup match in December 2025. Documents suggest the federation paid nearly $3,400 for her accommodation at the Ritz-Carlton Doha during the event.
Since assuming the presidency of the CBF, Xaud is accused of using federation money to cover travel expenses for family members, friends, and women accompanying him to sports events outside Brazil. These allegations have raised concerns over financial oversight within the organization.
The Brazilian Football Confederation responded promptly to the reports, explicitly denying any misuse of funds. In a statement to Radio Itatiaia, the CBF emphasized that all expenses charged to the federation relate solely to institutional activities and that personal expenditures by its directors are self-funded. The statement underscored the current administration’s commitment to transparency, administrative responsibility, and integrity.
Following media inquiries, Xaud reportedly settled the hotel bill for Andrade’s New York stay. However, it remains unclear whether he reimbursed the CBF for the costs tied to previous trips. The ongoing controversy reportedly prompted Xaud to briefly step away from the Brazilian national team’s training base in New Jersey ahead of their match against Haiti in Philadelphia. Despite the distraction, he was present during Brazil’s 3-0 victory and was seen sitting in a luxury suite beside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and several Brazilian football legends.
Requests for comment from Xaud, his wife Natalia, influencer Tamares Fernandes Barcellos, and the Brazilian Football Confederation went unanswered. Camila Cristina Andrade was also unavailable for comment. The situation continues to evolve as more details emerge about the federation’s financial management under Xaud’s leadership.