“He has a lot of explaining to do.” FIFA president summoned to the carpet before the World Cup
The European Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport is criticizing Infantino over concerns about the safety of fans at this year's World Cup while the United States is at war with Iran, as well as the federation itself for its cooperation with US President Donald Trump's Peace Council.
During an interview with POLITICO in his office in Brussels, Micallef also called on leaders not to allow Russia to use sports as a propaganda tool and spoke about his concerns about the NBA's plans to create a European basketball league. However, FIFA seems to be bothering him.
“It was my first and only serious conversation with President Infantino,” says Micallef of their meeting in Brussels, which took place on the sidelines of the European football summit. — I asked him to ensure the safety of people traveling to the World Cup. There was no reaction – he adds.
— Due to the escalation of tensions that we have observed in recent days, we have again asked for new assurances for all people traveling to the World Cup. Especially since one of the hosts of this largest sporting event in the world is a party to the armed conflict, [więc] it is justified to provide assurances from the point of view of public security, explains the commissioner.
EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice and Youth Glenn Micallef during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, February 10, 2026.CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / PAP
Criticism of the Peace Council
The United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 48-team tournament, which begins on June 11 in Mexico and will feature 16 European countries.
In my view, hosts of major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and those responsible for organizing the tournament, including FIFA, have a duty to ensure the safety of participating teams and their fans
– Micallef points out.
In response, a FIFA spokesman said that safety and security are the organization's “top priority” and that it “is confident that the efforts of the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States will provide a safe and welcoming environment for all involved.”
Asked if he believes FIFA is failing to meet safety and security requirements, Micallef replies: “Let's say there is room for more clarity,” before moving on to another point of contention related to FIFA's diplomatic stance.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (front left) at the Peace Council meeting at the Peace Institute. Donald J. Trump in Washington, USA, February 19, 2026.ALESSANDRO DI MEO / PAP
“FIFA has a lot of explaining to do on this matter,” says Micallef. — As European Commissioner responsible for sport, I would prefer to work with multilateral organizations, organizations that respect the rules-based international order, such as UNESCO and UNICEF, when it comes to implementing sports-related projects, he adds.
A FIFA spokesman rejected this criticism and said the partnership (with the Peace Council) “is fully consistent with the mission [FIFA] of growing football around the world and harnessing its social impact.”
In response to a question about whether Infantino, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry and International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons are doing their jobs well — in light of the criticism they have faced over the World Cup, Trump and Russia's participation in sporting events — Micallef gives a clear assessment of all three senior officials.
“I certainly think there's room for improvement,” he says. In response, a FIFA spokesman highlighted a number of Infantino's achievements in development, tournaments and women's football during his ten-year tenure.
“It's not a perfect solution”
American giant the National Basketball Association (NBA) is pressing ahead with plans to launch competitions in Europe next year, but some elements of the proposal have caused consternation among policymakers.
The promotion and relegation system – central to the European sporting model – is fueling the dispute as the NBA's proposal would make some potential clubs in major markets, including key EU capitals, permanent members. The debate is particularly sensitive because Europe already has a largely closed continental basketball league – the EuroLeague – in which most teams hold long-term licenses and new clubs rarely gain entry based solely on sporting achievements.
“The only thing worse than having a closed league in European basketball is having two closed leagues in European basketball,” Micallef comments.
I have made it very clear in my statements and communications that closed league models are not sustainable models for European sport – and in this case also for European basketball. I believe that a European sports model based on solidarity, open competitions, where sporting achievements determine whether you qualify for European competitions, whether you are relegated or promoted, and the pillars of the European sports model still apply
– he adds.
NBA representatives emphasized that their plan does not assume a completely closed league, but one that leaves room for a certain system of promotion and relegation, links with national leagues and which will ultimately benefit European basketball at all levels of the pyramid.
Micallef criticized but ultimately did not close the door on the NBA's proposal that would make most teams permanent members, with some spots reserved for teams qualifying each season.
— It's not a perfect solution. However, we are in this situation because of decisions made many years ago, when a partially closed league was created in European basketball, he says.
“My ideal scenario would be for the parties to meet and discuss ways to resolve disputes outside of courtrooms and competitive processes,” adds Micallef, referring to years of sports disputes that have cast a shadow over European institutions.
No Russian propaganda
The initial normalization of Russia's relations with the world of sports also arouses emotions in Micallef.
After years of ostracism following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian athletes competed under their own flag and to the accompaniment of the national anthem at the Paralympics in northern Italy; while Olympic chief Coventry said in Brussels late last year that “this is the essence of Olympism: every eligible athlete, team and official must have the opportunity to participate without discrimination or political interference.”
Micallef, while emphasizing that global governing bodies are autonomous, is adamant that the Kremlin should not be allowed to use sports for propaganda purposes as long as it wages an all-out war in Ukraine.
In my opinion, from the point of view of public policy and public security, the participation of countries party to an armed conflict, regardless of who they are, raises legitimate public security concerns
– explains the commissioner and adds: – And this is something we should be able to talk about with sports associations, federations and sports regulatory bodies. I believe that major sports competitions, and sports competitions in general, should take place in a safe environment for athletes, fans and everyone participating in the games.
