Jordan FA president accuses FIFA, Infantino of blackmail over World Cup money

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, president of the Jordanian Football Association, accused FIFA and Gianni Infantino of blackmailing his federation by withholding World Cup prize money and assistance contingent on Jordan's endorsement of Infantino's continued presidency, according to ESPN reporting.

Prince Ali, who stood for the FIFA presidency in 2015 and 2016, alleged that FIFA verbally communicated to him during the World Cup that if he endorsed Infantino it would assist the Jordanian FA. "For months, FIFA has been refusing to help us on any of these or other matters," Prince Ali stated, "until it was verbally communicated to me during the World Cup that if I endorsed Infantino it would go a long way to helping our FA out." He concluded: "But the whole situation amounts to blackmail and we refuse to give in to that."

Jordan has been awaiting prize money from last year's Arab Cup, which FIFA organizes. Prince Ali also highlighted other difficulties: Jordanian fans faced obstacles seeking entry to the United States for the summer World Cup, ticket prices were "exorbitant," and the Jordanian FA incurred "huge costs" in taxes from the tournament's location in the U.S. rather than Canada or Mexico. The federation stated it did not endorse Infantino before and "certainly will not now."

Infantino is facing broader pressure within FIFA's membership over a plan to seek private investors in a company to run FIFA's tournaments, including the men's and women's World Cups. Opposition has emerged from England, Wales, and UEFA alongside Jordan's public accusation.

FIFA declined to respond to Prince Ali's remarks, offering no statement on record. According to ESPN's reporting, Asia is viewed as the decisive region in any presidential contest that may be forced, with Europe and associations from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean expected to oppose Infantino while Africa, South America, and Oceania are expected to back him.