The International Olympic Committee has stressed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's speech at the Peace Council meeting does not constitute a violation of political neutrality, an IOC spokesman said, as quoted by Reuters.
FIFA President Infantino speaks at the first meeting of the Peace Council US President Donald Trump announced the creation of the “Peace Council” on January 14, 2026. This is a body that is supposed to coordinate the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip according to a previously approved plan. A week later, Trump presented it during the World Economic Forum in Davos – at which 20 countries signed the charter of this organization. together with US President Donald Trump. It discussed the topic of rebuilding the Gaza Strip after the disarmament of Hamas.
Infantino appeared on stage with several heads of state wearing a “USA” cap and showed off a FIFA-Peace Council cooperation agreement. According to ESPN, Infantino signed it on behalf of FIFA – it provides for an investment of $75 million in the organization's funds in Gaza. In particular, the agreement calls for the construction of 50 mini-fields near schools and residential areas in Gaza, five full-size fields in several areas, a state-of-the-art FIFA academy and a new 20,000-seat national stadium.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry was approached about Infantino's possible violation of political neutrality, to which the head of the institution said that they would conduct an investigation. Ultimately, the IOC determined that Infantino's speech did not violate any rules of the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter stipulates that its members must always act independently of commercial and political interests. They may also not accept “from governments, organizations or other parties any mandate or instruction which might interfere with their freedom of action and vote”. regarding political neutrality.
The organization said it would not take action against Infantino, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, calling the matter closed because FIFA's development work in Gaza “is fully consistent with the role of an international sports federation.”
“The IOC is in contact with FIFA, we understand that the organization, through football, supports a comprehensive investment program in the restoration of sports in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, providing sports infrastructure, education and proposals for the development of elite sports. This is fully consistent with the role of the International Sports Federation. The IOC, through Olympic solidarity, supports the development of sports in the region,” Reuters quotes an IOC spokesman as saying.
Before that, Infantino was accused of violating FIFA's internal rules after awarding US President Donald Trump the “Peace Prize” before the start of the draw for the 2026 World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington.