‘Room for improvement’: EU sports czar warns FIFA over leadership before World Cup

March 17, 2026 - 08:34

The European Union’s top sports official has issued a pointed warning to FIFA, stating the global football body’s leadership has “room for improvement” in its communication and cooperation with European authorities ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Glenn Micallef, the EU’s sports coordinator, expressed specific concern over a lack of direct safety assurances for European fans traveling to the United States for the tournament. He noted that while discussions with American security services have been productive, similar high-level engagement from FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been absent.

Micallef emphasized that with hundreds of thousands of European supporters expected to attend, clear and coordinated safety planning is paramount. The criticism underscores ongoing tensions between European institutions and FIFA’s governance, suggesting a need for more transparent and collaborative dialogue on major event organization. The comments come as final preparations accelerate for the tournament, which kicks off in North America in June.