Story perspectives

Swiss Police Arrest FIFA Officials, Prompting Blatter Resignation

6/24/2026

Summary

Swiss Police Arrests

Swiss police arrested several FIFA officials at Zurich’s Baur au Lac hotel on May 27 2015 at U.S. request.
The arrests sparked a scandal forcing President Sepp Blatter to resign and revealing decades of bribery.
Gianni Infantino, a UEFA lawyer, won the February 2016 FIFA election and oversaw the 2015 reform committee’s recommendation to limit the president to a figurehead, appoint the secretary general as CEO, and grant the 200-plus members decision power.

Summary

FIFA Raises Funding

FIFA raises development funding to up to $8 million per federation, up from $5 million.
Fourteen federations have had funding suspended or restricted for alleged misuse.
Dynamic pricing lifted the most expensive 2026 World Cup final ticket from $6,730 to $10,990.
Only a few hundred $60 tickets per match are available, sparking fan outrage and a joint probe by New York and New Jersey attorneys general.

Summary

Infantino Controversy

Gianni Infantino accepted Vladimir Putin’s Order of Friendship medal during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Infantino defended Qatar’s human-rights record before the 2022 World Cup despite reports of migrant deaths and forced labor.
Infantino flew on a Qatar Airways private jet to attend ten matches in seven days, drawing environmental criticism.
U.S. President Donald Trump chairs the 2026 World Cup taskforce, headquartered in Trump Tower.

Summary

Infantino Boosts Revenue

Infantino’s 2016 metrics show FIFA revenue reached a record high.
Fortune reported that under Infantino the men’s and women’s World Cups were expanded and a Club World Cup was added.
FIFA says it has implemented reforms, increased development funds for small associations and financed pitches and youth programmes.
Bonita Mersiades said FIFA is “almost too big to fail or too big to pull apart.”

1 of 4

Swiss Police Arrests

Swiss police arrested several FIFA officials at Zurich’s Baur au Lac hotel on May 27 2015 at U.S. request.
The arrests sparked a scandal forcing President Sepp Blatter to resign and revealing decades of bribery.
Gianni Infantino, a UEFA lawyer, won the February 2016 FIFA election and oversaw the 2015 reform committee’s recommendation to limit the president to a figurehead, appoint the secretary general as CEO, and grant the 200-plus members decision power.

1 / 4