Norway criticizes Infantino: Travel to Saudi Arabia causes trouble!

Norway criticizes Infantino: Travel to Saudi Arabia causes trouble!

Asunción, Paraguay - Before the FIFA Congress in Paraguay, the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) expresses significant criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The association president Lise Klaveness, who traveled to Paraguay on Tuesday, criticizes the lack of communication and transparency to Infantino's schedule. "We have not received any official information," says Klaveness and emphasizes the importance of Infantino's presence at the Congress, which takes place in Asunción on Thursday. Especially at a time when important decisions are made, the presence of the FIFA president is essential.

However, Infantino is not at the congress, but instead has made a trip to Saudi Arabia to take part in an investor conference. The US President Donald Trump, who praised Infantino in his speeches, was also present at this event. Critics note that this participation in a PR event of his show has a shame and nothing to do with the priorities of the international football community. For the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, this could signally accept geopolitical shades.

Missing presence and digital meetings

Traditionally, the six Confederations take place before the FIFA Congress. However, Infantino did not take part and will most likely only arrive in Asunción late Wednesday evening. An originally physically planned meeting of the FIFA Council was carried out on Friday and carried out digitally, which creates additional worries. She demands that clarifying questions about Infantino's absence are raised in order to take the concerns of the NFF seriously.

The Norwegian association president sees the situation as critical and expresses: "We have to stand up for the people who love football." Claveness hopes that the congress will be used to set the course for a more transparent and more inclusive future in football.

It remains to be seen how the situation will affect Infantino and its absence in the congress on FIFA's future decisions. The pressure from the smaller associations such as Norway could lead to a rethink.

You can find more information in the reports ofSouthern GermanandMirror.