Jordan FA President Ali bin Hussein accuses Gianni Infantino of blackmail

Jordan Football Association President Ali bin Hussein has publicly accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of “blackmail” over alleged attempts to secure his endorsement. This accusation was made on Tuesday as bin Hussein claimed FIFA offered assistance to the Jordan FA in exchange for support during the World Cup. He stated that FIFA hinted that endorsing Infantino “would go a long way to helping our FA out” after months of inaction from FIFA regarding various issues faced by the association.

This public rebuke comes at a time when Infantino is facing increasing criticism within the football community. Recently, he was forced to abandon plans to sell a minority stake in FIFA's commercial operations, a proposal that was met with resistance from football confederations and national associations. Following a September 19 deadline, many organizations rejected the idea, which FIFA argued could generate billions for global sports development. This turmoil within FIFA’s leadership may have emboldened bin Hussein to voice his grievances.

Bin Hussein outlined several challenges his association faces, particularly as a smaller football nation with limited resources. He highlighted the financial strain on fans who pay high ticket prices but are denied visas to attend the World Cup in the United States. He also criticized FIFA for the delayed payment of reward money for Jordan's participation in the 2025 Arab Cup, where the team reached the final. Additionally, he pointed to the unfair tax burdens imposed on Jordan by the U.S. government, which he claimed were not faced by teams competing in Canada and Mexico.

Jordan's recent qualification for the World Cup in 2026 marked a historic achievement, yet the team exited in the group stage. With unresolved financial issues and a lack of support from FIFA, bin Hussein's accusations highlight the broader struggles of smaller football associations within the global governing body. The situation raises questions about FIFA's commitment to supporting all member associations, especially those that may not have the same financial clout as larger nations.