There is initially no official information about the background. FIFA boss Infantino was still in Qatar the day before.
The Congress of the FIFA World Federation Association in Asunción/Paraguay begins on Thursday with a three-hour delay on Thursday. The day before, the meeting of the 211 member associations, originally planned for 2:30 p.m. (CEST), was laid by one hour, on the morning of the congress day there was a laying of another two hours. There was initially no official information about the background.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had accompanied US President Donald Trump on his first big trip abroad to the Middle East. After a visit to Saudi Arabia, Infantino was still in Qatar on Wednesday.
The Swiss “accepted invitations to a number of important events with leading politicians in the world, in which there is also talk about FIFA World Championships,” said FIFA at the request of The Athletic. A council session planned for this week was postponed and was held digitally on Friday. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who belongs to the FIFA Council, is also on site in Paraguay.
Infantinos’ absence before the congress caused a lack of understanding at the Norwegian association president Lise. “We are very surprised. It is important that it is present on the days when we are present. This is the most important meeting point for us,” said the 44-year-old according to the Norwegian media. “If he is not there, it is worrying. Democracy takes place here.”