FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing intensified calls for prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) following allegations related to the governance of the World Cup and controversial actions during his tenure. Critics argue that Infantino’s conduct surrounding the event may constitute abuses warranting international legal scrutiny.

The accusations focus on Infantino’s handling of the World Cup, particularly an aborted $20 billion deal that reportedly took place on U.S. soil during a period of heightened geopolitical tension between the United States and Iran. Observers say this arrangement, along with Infantino’s management style, could be viewed as a misappropriation of a global cultural event. Some legal experts contend that the World Cup, regarded as a shared cultural property, should be protected under international law, such as the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Under Article 8(2)(b)(xvi) of the ICC’s Elements of Crime statute, actions involving “pillaging” or the unauthorized appropriation of property for personal use can constitute prosecutable offenses. Proponents of this framing allege that Infantino’s conduct aligns with these definitions, arguing that the World Cup and its associated rights have been improperly exploited for private gain.

Adding to the controversy, Infantino has been criticized for awarding the FIFA Fair Play Award to a political figure accused of military aggression during the tournament, further complicating perceptions of his leadership amid conflict. These occurrences have fueled calls for his removal and for the governance of FIFA to be restructured with a greater emphasis on ethics and transparency—some advocates point to former FIFA executive Arsene Wenger as a potential reformist leader.

As Infantino faces mounting pressure during FIFA’s crisis meeting in Morocco, detractors suggest that he should be subject to investigation by international courts traditionally reserved for prosecuting crimes against humanity, referencing the convictions of figures such as Radovan Karadzic and Charles Taylor as precedent.

While these claims have yet to result in formal charges, the debate highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the governance of international sporting events and the accountability of their administrators under global legal standards. FIFA has not publicly commented on the ICC allegations. Meanwhile, discussions continue over the protection of cultural and sporting heritage within the framework of international law.