Gianni Infantino – 10 years as Fifa president

Despite the controversies, one fact remains: there is no meaningful opposition to Infantino.

While the 55-year-old may face criticism in Europe, for the rest of the world he has made a clear difference. Yes, it is about money. But money for football.

He has enriched some of the poorest and smallest footballing nations, proving funding through infrastructure and development.

Infantino has been true to his word that Fifa would be transparent – publishing the salaries of all top executives and keeping funds within football.

The Swiss delivered on his initial promise of an extra $5m (£3.7m) for every national association over the first four years, and $40m (£29.7m) for each confederation.

Across the first two cycles of the Fifa Forward project through to 2022, $2.8bn (£2.08bn) was made available for investment across the 211 member associations on more than 1,600 projects.

Fifa Forward 3.0, external – covering the years 2023 through to 2026 – has produced a 30% increase in funding.

Infantino has provided a further $5m (£3.7m) for every member association, with another $60m (£44.48m) paid to each confederation for their own projects.

After being re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023, he is approaching another election year in 2027.

Infantino will be able to stand again, even though Fifa statues limit the president to a maximum of three terms.

In 2022 the governance, audit and compliance committee ruled his first term did not count, as it was only for three years.

With the way Infantino has improved the financial situation of so many associations, it is hard to see how anyone could realistically challenge him in 2027.

Almost half of the 2011 votes are held by Asia and Africa – two regions that have benefited from the hugely increased finances.

Infantino may be criticised for the way he has expanded the Club World Cup, and the World Cup, and the increased ticket prices.

But he sees it as a vehicle to increase investment in the game around the world.

And that’s a vote winner.