CONCACAF Urges Infantino To Stay Away From Dominican Youth Tournament

FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on

Gianni Infantino seeks fourth term until 2031 but faces confederation backlash. Infantino faces calls to skip CFU event amid “governance crisis” at FIFA.

Three confederations pressure Infantino to resign as he visits Dominican Republic...

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to skip a youth soccer tournament in the Dominican Republic this weekend, saying his attendance would distract from the event amid growing criticism of his leadership.  

Infantino is facing calls to resign from three confederations, UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF, following his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup. CONCACAF covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Infantino, who could face a vote of no confidence from the sport’s regional powerhouses, is in the Dominican Republic this weekend and was reportedly planning to attend a competition run by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

In a letter sent to Infantino on Friday and seen by Reuters, Montagliani cited the “governance crisis surrounding FIFA” as the reason for the FIFA president to reconsider attending the CFU U-14 Series event.

“As you may be aware, your proposed attendance has garnered ⁠significant media attention,” Montagliani, who is also a vice-president on the FIFA Council, wrote.

“...the media will focus on this situation, which will unfortunately significantly take away from the technical nature of the CFU youth ‌competition.

“As such, I respectfully ask you in the name of football to reconsider your attendance as it will unfortunately undermine the technical nature of this important youth development activity.”

Gianni Infantino was welcomed in Punta Cana by Dominican Republic Minister of Sports and Recreation Kelvin Cruz.

“We deeply appreciate your visit to the Dominican Republic, without doubt that your presence in our country puts ‌us on the international football radar and opens us great prospects for growth and development of Dominican football,” Cruz ‌said in a statement.

Exclusive: Gianni Infantino has been asked to stay away from Dominican Republic youth tournament this weekend, in letter sent yesterday by CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.

FIFA president was welcomed on arrival in the country by local politicianshttps://t.co/xIxBRAlty9

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) August 22, 2026

Infantino was also greeted by Dominican Football Federation President Jose Deschamps, National Commissioner of Football Benny Metz, and Olympic Committee President Garibaldy Bautista Lorenzo.

Infantino is campaigning for a fourth term through 2031, but several national associations and key officials have pulled their support for the Swiss administrator.