Jordan FA president accuses FIFA's Infantino of blackmail, saying endorsement was demanded for help with World Cup problems
Jordan Football Association president Prince Ali bin Hussein has accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of blackmail, alleging the world governing body offered to resolve the kingdom's World Cup-related problems in exchange for his endorsement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The blackmail accusation
Prince Ali bin Hussein, president of the Jordan Football Association, published a lengthy statement on X on Tuesday accusing FIFA president Gianni Infantino of blackmail. He alleged that during the 2026 World Cup, FIFA verbally communicated that endorsing Infantino for reelection "would go a long way to helping our FA out" after months of refusing assistance on several issues.
We pride ourselves in Jordan in upholding ethical values. We did not endorse him before and certainly will not now. But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that.
Prince Ali, a former FIFA vice-president and half-brother of Jordan's king, said the problem was with leadership. He noted that FIFA had been refusing help for months until the verbal offer was made during the tournament.
Three grievances
The Jordanian FA chief detailed three specific complaints. First, Jordanian fans faced visa denials for the World Cup in the United States even after buying tickets at "exorbitant prices." Second, the US government taxed Jordan's participation through FIFA, a cost not imposed on teams that set up camp in co-hosts Canada and Mexico. "Money that should go to players and staff," Prince Ali wrote. Third, Jordan has been waiting since December 2025 for prize money from the Arab Cup in Qatar, a FIFA-organised tournament where they reached the final before losing 3-2 to Morocco.
The money our team should receive for having reached the final has not been delivered yet, while at the same time FIFA brags about how many billions they have in reserve.
Jordan qualified for its first World Cup this summer but exited in the group stage after defeats to Algeria, Austria and Argentina.
Infantino's embattled position
The accusations land as Infantino faces growing internal opposition. His plan to sell a minority stake in World Cup commercial operations to private investors was abandoned last week after UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf opposed it. UEFA confirmed it would boycott FIFA competitions if the plan proceeded. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom and executive Arsene Wenger were among those who distanced themselves from the proposal.
- Jordan reaches Arab Cup final in Qatar, loses 3-2 to Morocco; prize money still unpaid as of August 2026
- Jordan qualifies for first World Cup, exits group stage after defeats to Algeria, Austria and Argentina
- Infantino abandons plan to sell minority stake in World Cup commercial rights after UEFA, AFC and Concacaf opposition
- Prince Ali bin Hussein accuses Infantino of blackmail, alleging FIFA offered help in exchange for endorsement
- FIFA presidential elections scheduled
Prince Ali's intervention carries weight in Asian football. He founded and leads the West Asian Football Federation, which has 12 member nations, and previously ran for the FIFA presidency in 2015 (losing to Sepp Blatter) and 2016 (losing to Infantino and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa). During his tenure as FIFA vice-president from 2011 to 2016, he championed lifting the hijab ban in women's football and created a development programme for Middle Eastern facilities.
FIFA has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The next FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027.
