Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis offered a nuanced critique of FIFA president Gianni Infantino while praising the successful organization of the 2026 World Cup during a speech in Rome on Wednesday. Speaking after receiving a lifetime achievement award from Italy’s Foreign Press Association, De Laurentiis acknowledged Infantino’s controversial tenure but also recognized the achievements under his leadership.
De Laurentiis refrained from directly condemning Infantino, who has faced increased scrutiny and calls to resign following proposals that would allow private investors to acquire stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. Instead, De Laurentiis described Infantino as a figure who operates strategically from his own perspective, noting the FIFA president’s global reach and influence. “If a once secretary is then allowed, once he becomes president, to do certain things and travel around the world wearing the FIFA badge, meeting Trump, meeting Putin, meeting everyone, what are we supposed to say to him? We have to say: he is doing his job from his perspective,” De Laurentiis said.
Despite initially expressing frustration with Infantino’s leadership, the Napoli owner admitted his opinion shifted after witnessing the staging of this year’s World Cup matches. He noted the “extraordinary” organization of the stadiums and the overall event, which led him to commend Infantino’s efforts. “I wanted to shoot Infantino; but when I saw how he had organised everything, I said: ‘No, I hold my hands up, I have to say well done,’” De Laurentiis remarked.
Beyond FIFA, De Laurentiis was more critical of European football’s governing bodies. He described the sport as facing a crisis in Europe, contrasting this with what he called the United States’ status as a “shining beacon” in sports. He questioned the purpose of tournaments such as the Europa League and the newly established Conference League, suggesting they exist primarily to secure votes for officials seeking re-election within football’s powerful organizations. De Laurentiis also criticized the lack of external regulatory oversight over these bodies, warning that dissent is often swiftly silenced. “They do whatever they want and, if you raise your head even slightly, they immediately want to cut it off,” he said.
De Laurentiis’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions within international football governance, highlighting the balancing act between acknowledging production successes and critiquing the political dynamics behind the sport’s administration.