Select members of the FIFA Congress walked out of their annual meeting on Thursday in a rebuke of president Gianni Infantino, who forced the meeting to start several hours late as he was traveling back from a trip to the Middle East, where he spent time with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The annual gathering, held in Asuncion this year, was set to commence at 9:30 a.m. local time but was postponed until 12:30 p.m. due to Infantino’s travel delays. His Qatari private jet was still en route when the meeting was meant to start, per The Athletic, with a pause in Nigeria for refueling.

The eight UEFA council members, including Aleksander Ceferin, did not return after Infantino’s delayed arrival, as reported.

Infantino, present in Qatar and Saudi Arabia with Trump, attended Trump’s meetings with Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Mohammed Bin Salman. Since Trump’s return to office, Infantino has frequently engaged with him, taking part in various events and meeting at the White House to discuss the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

Despite the delay, Infantino apologized but defended his actions, emphasizing the importance of the discussions held during his Middle East visit, especially for future World Cups. “As FIFA’s president, I must make choices for the organization. I believed my presence in the Middle East was crucial for football representation,” he stated.

The dissatisfaction among attendees led to the walkout, with officials leaving at 2 p.m. local time as planned. Klaveness labeled Infantino’s tardiness as disappointing, stressing that the FIFA Congress serves as a vital body to uphold good governance in international football. **“The situation is concerning. Two hundred and ten member associations came here expecting top-tier leadership and dialogue.”

Among the Congress agenda were reviews of FIFA’s annual report and elections for various committees, crucial for governing the sport effectively.