The election calendar plays a fundamental role in this dispute, as those seeking the presidency must confirm their candidacies before November 18. Although no name has yet been publicly confirmed, the possibility of a decision being reached next week has gained momentum. Once selected, the candidate will need the support of UEFA’s executive committee and the presidents of the national federations that make up the confederation before launching a potential campaign to challenge Infantino.

UEFA steps up search for candidate to challenge Infantino

The European strategy involves keeping the candidate’s identity confidential until shortly before the deadline, mainly to prevent them from becoming the target of a smear campaign by FIFA. Among the names that have emerged during discussions is Arsène Wenger, the governing body’s current chief of global football development and former manager of Arsenal. However, although some consider him a figure capable of generating consensus within European football, there is no indication that he has been seriously involved in the selection process. In fact, he was in Azerbaijan this week for the FIFA U-15 World Cup, where he praised the characteristics of the new tournament organized by his current employer.

The main challenge for any candidate will be securing enough support to compete against a president who maintains considerable international influence. To reach the required 106 votes, the opposition would need to consolidate support from the European bloc and secure a significant number of endorsements from Asia, Africa and Concacaf. This does not appear to be an easy task, particularly after Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, changed his position and publicly backed Infantino’s bid for a fourth term. This move represented a setback for European plans and highlighted the difficulties of building a coalition capable of challenging FIFA’s leadership.

Tensions between UEFA and FIFA could influence the presidential elections

The search for an electoral rival is taking place amid an institutional conflict that has strained relations between the two organizations. UEFA has questioned FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes, particularly over controversies surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) program, which is under scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities. In this context, the European confederation has requested the disclosure of documents related to the program before four US courts, with the intention of assessing a potential criminal complaint in Switzerland over alleged mismanagement. FIFA, for its part, has rejected the accusations and described UEFA’s actions as a campaign of “harassment” and “misinformation.”

The disagreements also extend to other matters of sports management and organization. UEFA set a deadline for FIFA to answer 42 questions concerning its governance, the FFE program, the FIFA Peace Prize and the suspension of a ban imposed on US striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. According to information published by The Guardian, the European governing body had still not received a response. Concerns have also emerged over the future of certain projects, such as the 2029 men’s Club World Cup, which still has no confirmed host and has seen little progress regarding its format. Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin maintains a critical stance toward Infantino’s administration and needs to present a competitive candidate to support his political strategy. The coming weeks will be crucial, both because of the November 18 election deadline and the potential legal developments that could reshape FIFA’s institutional landscape.

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Fifteen-year-old Leonardo will represent Italy at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where the breaking competition takes place on 12 and 13 November. Born in Cagliari, he grew up with his sister in Serdiana, a village of around 2,500 residents surrounded by vineyards in Sardinia. Both have won Italian titles in their respective categories. Leonardo’s preparations for Dakar now add an international milestone to a family story shaped by swimming, boards and dance.

A childhood between water and dance

Their parents are swimming instructors, and Leonardo began getting used to the water when he was just two months old. Skateboarding, tennis and surfing followed. “Sometimes you discover your talent by taking a roundabout path,” he reflects. As a child, he tried different ways of moving before finding the one he enjoyed most: “When I discovered breaking, I found the best way to express myself and decided to dedicate myself to it completely.” By then, the sea already occupied an important place in his life, both for sport and relaxation.

In December 2019, aged eight, he was the youngest participant in the Buggerru Surf Trophy. He discovered breaking at the same age and began transferring what he had learnt on a surfboard to the dance floor. “Thanks to the sports I had practised previously, especially surfing, I was able to make rapid progress; I already had strong control of my body and even incorporated elements of my experience into some of my moves,” he explains. Although breaking became more prominent during lockdown, he continued entering surfing events: federation results still place him in a national competition in Buggerru in 2023.

Arguments like any other siblings

Ginevra is also building her own path. Her school, Black Stars, confirmed her Italian national championship title in the eight-to-eleven age category in 2025, while Leonardo finished second in the twelve-to-fifteen category. He had begun competing internationally in 2022, travelling across Europe to meet and test himself against other dancers. At the Youth World Championships in Porto in 2025, he gained a clearer sense of his potential: “That was when I realised where I wanted to go and what I was capable of.”

Their close bond does not prevent disagreements. “Like all siblings, we often argue… but in breaking, we always find common ground, a way to help and learn from each other,” Leonardo acknowledges. He speaks enthusiastically about Ginevra and recognises what each brings: “We have different styles, yet together we create a perfect connection.” They also have something they would like to try together. He hopes to enter duo battles with her, perhaps in a format such as ‘Bonnie & Clyde’, turning their side-by-side practice into a shared performance.

A teacher who became a godfather

Claudio Cogoni, known as ‘Yaio’, a member of the Ormus Force crew, has been part of that journey. He was Leonardo’s first teacher and remains his main coach. Their relationship grew beyond training sessions, becoming a bond between godfather and godson. “From the beginning, I could see his complete dedication to breaking and everything it represents; he immediately became an inspiration and a guide,” Leonardo explains. That closeness has developed over years, from his first steps to preparations for the Youth Olympic Games.

When he needs to slow down, Leonardo returns to the sea. “I love my island, Sardinia, and especially the sea. It’s my favourite place to relax, usually on my surfboard,” he says. The coast remains his refuge as travel and training take up more of his time. He offers a simple explanation for that balance between movement and calm: “I’ve always been a high-energy person, so the calming effect the sea has on me creates the perfect balance. A connection with nature has the power to steady the soul.”

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The changes Kristy Coventry is proposing for the Olympic Games, with a greater emphasis on individual sporting disciplines, appear to be moving closer to implementation. They are expected to attract considerable attention at the 147th IOC Session in April 2027, with the future of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games likely to feature prominently in discussions.

International Sports Federations are waiting to understand how the new model will operate and what mechanisms will govern its implementation. They need clarity before they can shape their future policies around an Olympic programme increasingly organised around individual sporting disciplines.

For now, many IFs remain uncertain about their future role and whether they will retain the same level of involvement and influence they have traditionally enjoyed. What they do understand, however, is that the technical and sporting management of Olympic disciplines cannot be delivered effectively without their expertise and participation.

The experience of boxing at Paris 2024, following the removal of the International Boxing Association from the Olympic Movement, offers an important reminder. The problems and controversies surrounding boxing at the Games exposed the risks of disrupting established relationships between the IOC and international governing bodies.

IFs remain a key component in the successful delivery of multi-sport events, particularly the Olympic Games. Their contribution cannot simply be replaced by the IOC, regardless of the resources and organisational capacity at its disposal.

The IOC cannot reasonably expect to deliver Games to the standard demanded by athletes, spectators and the wider sporting community without the cooperation of the federations responsible for the disciplines themselves.

This does not mean, however, that every international federation, regardless of its governance record or the sporting appeal of its disciplines, should be guaranteed an Olympic platform. Both the quality of sporting administration and the ability to attract audiences must form part of the equation.

Lin Yu-ting, Paris 2024

Television audiences cannot be ignored

The governance of IFs deserves particular attention. At the same time, the Olympic programme must respond to changing audience expectations. Some disciplines have struggled to attract television viewers, raising legitimate questions about their place in an increasingly competitive Olympic environment.

Taekwondo, hockey, rowing, modern pentathlon, canoe sprint, beach volleyball, sailing and shooting were among the sports whose television audience figures in Japan at Tokyo 2020 placed them towards the lower end of the rankings.

Tokyo was, of course, an exceptional edition of the Games. Held under restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it took place without spectators in the venues, leaving television as the principal means through which audiences could follow the competitions. Nevertheless, the available figures provide an important indication of the differences in the popularity of individual sports.

Karate offers a particularly interesting example. After years of campaigning, the World Karate Federation finally secured a place at the Olympic Games, with the sport included among the five additional sports proposed by the Tokyo organisers.

Competing in its birthplace, Japan, karate might reasonably have been expected to attract a substantial television audience. Yet its reported share of television viewers was just 20.6 per cent. This compared with 48 per cent for baseball and softball, 36.9 per cent for skateboarding and 21.4 per cent for sport climbing.

For a sport making its Olympic debut on home soil, the figures raised an important question about the decision to include it in the programme.

Judo, by contrast, demonstrated the strength of its appeal in Japan. It attracted 49 per cent of television viewers, making it the second most-watched sport at Tokyo 2020, behind table tennis.

Baseball and softball, athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, football, skateboarding, basketball, badminton, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, golf and sport climbing also featured among the 15 most-watched sports.

These figures do not, in themselves, determine the sporting value of an Olympic discipline. However, they provide an important commercial indicator that the IOC and international federations can no longer afford to overlook.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The commercial direction of the Olympic programme

The IOC’s emerging approach to a discipline-driven Olympic programme reflects an increasingly commercial understanding of the Games. Television exposure and the ability of individual disciplines to attract audiences are likely to become more influential in decisions about the Olympic programme.

Geographical reach and the development of a sport across different regions will also matter. A discipline with a limited international footprint may struggle to demonstrate the commercial value required to justify its place, even if it has a long history within its respective federation.

However, a purely commercial approach carries risks. It could undermine the traditional foundations of the Olympic Games and push fundamental priorities, particularly athletes’ human rights, further down the agenda.

A discipline-driven model may force international federations to modernise, innovate and reconsider how they present their sports to global audiences. That pressure could be positive. But if the distinct sporting cultures and values of individual disciplines are ignored, the consequences could extend beyond commercial failure to ethical and behavioural problems within sport itself.

The challenge, therefore, is not simply to identify which disciplines attract the largest television audiences. It is to establish a framework that recognises the wider responsibilities of international sports governance.

A revolution must have consistent standards

In my view, a successful discipline-driven Olympic model must be built on a consistent set of evaluation criteria.

These should include global popularity and sporting appeal, rather than simply the number of countries affiliated to a federation; geographical reach and the representation of athletes from different continents; the number of competitors; the quality and competitiveness of sporting events; and meaningful opportunities for women and men to participate.

Audience engagement, particularly among younger generations, must also be considered. Above all, however, the integrity of the institutions governing these disciplines must become a central part of the assessment.

Transparency in governance, democratic and credible elections, athlete independence, anti-corruption measures and effective anti-doping policies should carry the same weight as commercial and audience considerations.

A federation should not be able to secure its Olympic position simply because its discipline attracts viewers, just as a large membership base should not automatically guarantee its place in the programme. Sporting popularity and institutional credibility must go hand in hand.

Coventry has presented this project to the sporting world under the banner of Fit for the Future. I regard it as a potential revolution in the Olympic Movement for the 21st century.

But revolutions are not judged by the scale of their promises. They are judged by the principles on which they are built and the results they deliver.

If the IOC succeeds in creating a model that combines commercial sustainability with sporting diversity, institutional accountability and the protection of athletes’ rights, it could redefine the future of the Olympic Games.

If, however, commercial interests become the dominant measure of Olympic value, without equal consideration for governance, integrity and the sporting cultures represented by international federations, this ambitious project could ultimately fail to achieve its purpose.

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On October 27, Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya directed suspended secretary-general Pramod Kumar to keep the General Body meeting scheduled for the following day in abeyance until the next hearing on November 13. The order followed a petition by Singh challenging an October 8 notice convening the meeting.

Singh argued that the proposed proceedings breached the federation’s constitution, which, according to his petition, requires a three-quarters majority of the General Body to remove the president. He also disputed the secretary-general’s authority to convene a Special General Meeting without following the prescribed procedures. The court has yet to rule on the substance of these arguments.

Both move to suspend each other

The court intervention comes amid an escalating confrontation between Singh and Kumar, who have both taken steps to suspend the other. Singh suspended Kumar on October 14, citing alleged procedural and financial irregularities, while Kumar subsequently challenged the president’s authority and sought his removal through a no-confidence motion. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the federation’s constitution.

Opposition to Singh continued despite the court order. On October 28, representatives of the rival faction met Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse and officials of the Indian Olympic Association, submitting a memorandum outlining their concerns about the federation’s administration.

The group claimed the backing of 27 of the BFI’s 35 affiliated units and eight of its 13 executive committee members. It raised allegations of administrative overreach, constitutional violations and the concentration of authority in the president’s office. These figures and allegations were reported by the rival faction and have not been independently established.

World Boxing seeks updates from BFI

World Boxing is also monitoring the dispute. In an email dated October 23, the international governing body stressed that meetings of national federations must be convened and conducted in accordance with their respective constitutions. Its director of governance, integrity and legal, Julien Deux, requested updates on formal decisions taken by the BFI, according to ThePrint.

The next court hearing on November 13 will determine how the legal challenge proceeds. Until then, the proposed no-confidence meeting remains suspended, leaving the leadership dispute unresolved.

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The ruling, which overturned the exclusion of Russian teams from five world championships scheduled for the 2026–2027 season, requires the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to reconsider its next steps. However, its implementation presents challenges that extend beyond the sporting arena, particularly due to national legal restrictions, public funding issues, and the position of federations that continue to oppose Russia’s presence.

Latvia faces a conflict between its national legislation and the CAS ruling

Latvia represents one of the main obstacles to implementing the decision. Its Sports Law prohibits national teams in team sports from competing against Russian or Belarusian teams, even when they participate under neutral status. This restriction is established in national legislation, meaning that the Latvian federation cannot address the issue solely as a political decision or an institutional position regarding the return of Russian athletes.

However, there is an important distinction between playing against these teams and participating in the same championship. Latvian legislation prohibits direct matchups but does not automatically require the country to withdraw from every tournament in which Russia or Belarus is present. This distinction creates a complex situation: Latvia could participate in a world championship but face a legal problem if the schedule requires its team to play against either country. The federation’s president, Aigars Kalvītis, initially said that he would wait for the IIHF’s decisions before commenting further, while its secretary general, Roberts Pļāvējs, confirmed that the country has no intention of playing matches that would violate its legislation.

Public funding adds further pressure to Latvia’s participation

Latvia’s difficulties do not end with the possibility of facing Russia or Belarus directly. Funding for national delegations has also become a relevant issue in the debate, following reports by Latvian public broadcasting that the country’s education and science authorities do not intend to allocate state resources to competitions involving either nation. This position could create an additional obstacle to Latvia’s participation in the affected championships, regardless of whether its national team is scheduled to play against Russia.

The situation raises questions about how international participation will be financed and what consequences a potential withdrawal could have. The federation itself recognizes that completely withdrawing from a world championship would entail significant sporting, financial, and organizational consequences. For now, the scope of the financial restrictions will depend on the applicable funding rules, the final tournament arrangements, and decisions made by national authorities. Latvia must therefore find an alternative that allows it to maintain its competitive presence without contradicting the legal provisions governing its sporting activities.

Finland protects its players’ individual right to decide

Finland has adopted a different approach. In a statement published on October 30, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association reiterated its opposition to the return of Russian and Belarusian teams to international competitions. Its president, Heikki Hietanen, strongly criticized the CAS ruling and reaffirmed the country’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the federation also acknowledged that, as a member of the IIHF, it must respect the obligations arising from its participation in the international organization.

The main feature of Finland’s position is the freedom granted to athletes and coaching staff to decide whether they wish to participate in tournaments involving Russia or Belarus. The association assured that nobody would be forced to compete against their wishes and that those who choose not to participate would receive its understanding and support. This does not constitute an announced boycott by the Finnish national team or a formal withdrawal from the championships. Instead, it is an approach that seeks to reconcile institutional obligations with the personal decisions of those representing the country on the ice.

The IIHF must address the sporting and regulatory consequences

The International Ice Hockey Federation now faces the challenge of implementing a ruling that comes at a time when preparations for several championships are already well advanced. Its main responsibilities include determining how Russian teams will be incorporated, responding to concerns from national federations and host countries that oppose their return, and establishing what will happen when a national team cannot face a particular opponent due to restrictions under its domestic legislation. Match scheduling, competition formats, qualification criteria, and security measures are among the issues that will need to be addressed.

The 2027 Men’s World Championship, which will take place in Germany, is at the center of some of these concerns. Ukraine is among the qualified teams, and the German federation has publicly expressed its opposition to Russia’s return, adding further sensitivity to the organizational situation. Furthermore, the CAS ruling did not determine whether Russian teams would have to compete without their national symbols, nor did it automatically reinstate Belarusian teams, as the decision specifically concerns Russia. These distinctions require the IIHF to define the scope of the ruling and its impact on international regulations, in a context where sporting decisions must coexist with national legislation and institutional positions that do not necessarily align.

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The decision on Utah 2034 will allow the application of the new Olympic programme methodology linked to Fit for the Future, the reform process introduced under President Kirsty Coventry. The IOC says the revised timeline will support a more robust assessment to shape a relevant, flexible and sustainable programme. The Executive Board has not approved the addition or removal of any sport or discipline: it has established when the programme’s composition must be decided.

A new timetable for assessing winter sports

The change gives international federations a clear reference point for preparing their proposals and contributing to the development of the Games. Its significance extends beyond setting a date: it places programme development within a broader, more collaborative evaluation process, with the methodology introduced in June 2026. Winter sports now enter a period in which they will need to explain how their disciplines contribute to the athlete experience, audience interest and organisational requirements.

The organising committee has welcomed the updated timeline. Darren Hughes, Vice President of Games Delivery, highlighted the opportunity to work with the IOC and international winter sports federations to adapt the programme to the evolving sporting landscape and improve the experience for participants and fans. That collaboration will need to produce concrete proposals before the 2028 decision. The agreement concerns Utah 2034 and does not itself modify the Brisbane 2032 programme, although it forms part of a broader review of how the Olympic programme is shaped.

The Valieva case changes Beijing 2022 diploma allocations

The same meeting addressed the consequences of anti-doping proceedings that have become final. In the Beijing 2022 women’s individual figure skating competition, the disqualification of Kamila Valieva, who originally finished fourth, required the standings to be revised. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) imposed a four-year suspension on the Russian skater on 29 January 2024 and disqualified her results from 25 December 2021. The Swiss Federal Tribunal dismissed the appeal against that decision on 5 September 2024.

Under the standings revised by the International Skating Union (ISU), Japan’s Wakaba Higuchi moves into fourth place; South Korea’s Young You into fifth; the United States’ Alysa Liu into sixth; Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx into seventh; and South Korea’s Yelim Kim into eighth. All will receive the corresponding diplomas. The decision affects the diploma positions in the women’s individual competition, in which Valieva finished outside the podium places.

The Paris marathon standings also change

At Paris 2024, the disqualification of Romania’s Delvine Relin Meringor, who finished seventh in the women’s marathon, has prompted another revision. World Athletics updated the results following a decision issued by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya on 25 March 2025. These proceedings are separate from the Valieva case: the decision became final because no appeal was filed.

Uganda’s Stella Chesang moves into seventh place and Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter into eighth. Both will receive their Olympic diplomas, while the lower positions have also been updated. The IOC approved the reallocation after the proceedings had concluded and with no identified anti-doping impediments affecting the recipients.

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The announcement followed the publication of the sport’s first Social Impact Report, which revealed that more than 500,000 young people from 71 countries have participated in the various educational and social programs promoted by the competition. The renewal also ensures the continuation of an initiative launched in 2021, inspired by driver Lewis Hamilton, which has so far provided support to 48 students interested in pursuing a professional career in engineering.

A program to expand access to engineering within Formula 1

Formula 1’s engineering scholarships were created to address some of the main challenges faced by students from historically underrepresented groups when accessing higher education. These include tuition fees, living expenses and a lack of opportunities to gain exposure to a highly specialized industry. Therefore, the program covers the full cost of tuition and living expenses for its beneficiaries, while also offering experiences that directly connect their academic training with high-performance motorsport.

The initiative also includes professional internships with teams from the category, exposure to the technologies used to develop single-seaters and exclusive visits to the Formula 1 Media and Technology Centre. These opportunities are complemented by experiences during Grand Prix weekends, allowing students to gain first-hand insight into the workings of a competition that brings together some of the most advanced engineering innovations. The goal is to ensure that talent and abilities carry more weight than economic circumstances or personal backgrounds for those seeking to enter the industry.

F1’s commitment to diversity coincides with its economic growth

The renewal of the scholarships is part of a broader strategy to strengthen diversity and inclusion in motorsport. In 2024, Formula 1, its ten teams and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) introduced a new Diversity and Inclusion Charter, developed with the support of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This initiative continued the work of the Hamilton Commission, presented in 2021 by Lewis Hamilton, which identified various barriers to entering and progressing within the competition. Other measures adopted include the creation of F1 Academy, a women’s single-seater championship designed to open up new opportunities for women in motorsport.

From the category’s leadership, its president and chief executive officer, Stefano Domenicali, highlighted the importance of turning institutional commitments into tangible opportunities for younger generations. Along the same lines, Ellen Jones, Formula 1’s head of ESG, noted that the championship’s international growth must be accompanied by a positive impact on communities. This social commitment coincides with a favorable financial landscape: in 2025, the competition generated revenue of $3.873 billion, while Liberty Media, its parent company, closed the year with a positive net income of $555 million. These resources and the category’s commercial growth are part of a period in which Formula 1 seeks to expand its reach beyond the racetrack and strengthen its connection with education, innovation and professional development.

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The former president of MEDEF, France’s main employers’ organisation, brings experience from the boards of Paris 2024 and the France 2023 Rugby World Cup organising committee. But his relationship with sport began long before those appointments. University rugby, marathons, triathlon and cycling form part of a life that also includes service in the French naval commandos, an international career in cosmetics and a foundation established with his wife.

Rugby friendships and military experience

At ESSEC Business School, he gained a business education and formed relationships that would last for decades. He played rugby alongside Patrick Martin, who would eventually succeed him as MEDEF president. Recalling those years in an interview with the alumni magazine ‘Reflets’, he explained: “Rugby is, above all, camaraderie and lasting friendships.” His teammates also included Olivier Cantet, who later became president of the alumni association. In his recollections, the rugby pitch was a place where bonds were formed that continued well beyond university.

After studying at ESSEC and Paris-Dauphine, he completed his military service with the French naval commandos, serving in Africa and Lebanon. He remembers the physical and mental demands, but also the experience of living alongside people from different social backgrounds. In the same interview, he offered a striking assessment: “The people I admire most, I didn’t meet in business, but in the special forces.” He subsequently maintained his connection with the French Navy reserve.

The entrepreneur and the family he found at ESSEC

His business career began within a major company. He spent ten years at L’Oréal, holding positions in the United Kingdom and Poland, before establishing The Phone House with Pierre Cuilleret in 1996. The specialist mobile phone retail chain became the starting point for further ventures, including Virgin Mobile and Notus Technologies. Before representing French employers, he had built and developed businesses of his own. His MEDEF presidency, from 2018 to 2023, added negotiation and public advocacy on behalf of companies to that experience.

ESSEC also holds a place in his family history. He met Sabine Roux de Bézieux there, and they have four children. Looking back on his time at the school, he describes meeting her as one of its most important moments. The connection extended to their wedding: Michel Calamy, an Oratorian priest and the school’s former director of studies, married them. Geoffroy and Sabine would later establish another shared project, the Araok Foundation, created in 2005 using part of the proceeds from his first business venture.

A family foundation and an everyday bicycle

Araok means “forward” in Breton. Operating under the umbrella of the Fondation de France, the family project has supported social, educational and equal opportunity initiatives. In an interview published in 2013, Sabine explained their ambition: “To trust in human nature and give everyone the means to find their own path.” That profile described a commitment shared with her husband and their four children, rooted in the decision to devote part of the family’s resources to helping others find new opportunities.

Sport has also taken different forms throughout his life. In an interview published by the French Cycling Federation, he explains that, after many years of rugby, he began running marathons, moved into triathlon and eventually took up cycling. He enjoys cycle touring and gravel riding, goes out with Club Paris-Deauville and uses his bicycle every day in Paris. Alongside the exercise, he values its social dimension: “Sport breaks down the usual social barriers.” Riding gives him time with other people and opportunities for conversations outside his professional responsibilities.

From cycling to organising the Games

That interest led to another commitment: he has chaired the France Vélo Foundation since April 2024. On taking up the position, he championed cycling both for its opportunities for sport and companionship and for its ability to transform personal and work-related travel. His interest has also extended into business, through investments linked to cargo bike manufacturers. It is one area where his commercial activities intersect with something he practises in everyday life.

French Alps 2030 will be his next working environment. He had already joined its board and chaired its remuneration committee from 1 April, allowing him to follow preparations before taking on the presidency. His appointment brings together the French state, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions, and the French Olympic and Paralympic committees. “Chairing French Alps 2030 is an honour because, above all, it is a commitment to showcasing sport and France through teamwork,” he said in the appointment statement. When he joins on Monday, his focus will be on working with the teams to put operational preparations into action across the host territories.

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The ruling’s significance extends beyond ice hockey, although it does not constitute blanket authorisation for Russia’s return to international sport. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) considers that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the restrictions under its regulations. The decision therefore places the debate on specific ground: federations have the authority to protect their championships, but they must substantiate the risks they invoke when their decisions prevent athletes from competing on the basis of nationality.

Security concerns require evidence

The proceedings stem from the IIHF Council’s decision to maintain the exclusion in January 2026. In May, the federation’s own disciplinary body annulled that measure and referred the matter back to the Council for reconsideration. The federation nevertheless maintained its position, and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation pursued arbitration. Following hearings held in Lausanne on 23 and 26 October, a three-member panel unanimously concluded that the documentation submitted did not justify the contested restrictions. The distinction matters: insufficient evidence does not mean that organising those tournaments carries no risks.

The ruling sets aside the Council’s decision with immediate effect and covers five competitions: the Men’s World Junior Championship in Canada, scheduled for 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027; the U18 Women’s World Championship in the Czech Republic, from 8 to 16 January; the U18 Men’s World Championship in the United States, from 22 April to 2 May; the Men’s World Championship in Germany, from 14 to 30 May; and the Women’s World Championship in Canada, in November 2027. The conditions of that return remain to be determined, including the use of national symbols or the possible application of neutrality requirements.

Reintegration brings immediate consequences

The IIHF has expressed disappointment with the ruling and defended the restrictions as part of its responsibility to protect participants and preserve the integrity of its competitions. At the same time, it has recognised CAS’s authority and confirmed that it will comply with the decision. That obligation now shifts the dispute towards the organisation of the championships: reintegrating Russian teams may require adjustments to formats, schedules, qualification arrangements, and travel, accommodation and security planning. The World Junior Championship, due to begin in December, leaves a particularly narrow window.

The case also demonstrates why decisions concerning Russia cannot automatically be transferred from one sport to another. Each proceeding depends on the applicable rules, the measure being challenged and the evidence the federation can present. The inadequacy of the IIHF’s justification does not, in itself, invalidate restrictions adopted by other organisations. It does reinforce the need for those organisations to explain the specific risks facing their competitions and why their chosen measures are supported by their regulations.

Federation autonomy under scrutiny

The ruling also touches on the division of responsibilities between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), federations and sports arbitration. The IOC’s positions on Russian participation form part of the sporting context, but federations must answer for the decisions they take within their own competitions. Their autonomy allows them to set participation conditions and assume organisational responsibilities; it also requires them to respect the limits of their statutes and regulations. When an exclusion is reviewed, institutional authority must be accompanied by a justification that can withstand scrutiny before arbitrators.

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In 2023, Infantino stated that equal prize money was one of the organization’s main ambitions for 2027, a declaration that raised expectations within women’s football. However, negotiations in recent weeks suggest that the next edition of the tournament will fall short of that goal, particularly considering the financial growth of international football and the record revenues generated by FIFA.

The financial gap between the men’s and women’s World Cups will remain considerable

The difference in prize money becomes particularly significant when comparing the number of participating teams in both tournaments. While the 2026 men’s World Cup featured 48 teams and distributed a total of $655 million in prize money, the 2027 women’s tournament in Brazil will feature 32 teams. Based on a proportional distribution, the women’s competition would need to receive around two-thirds of the amount allocated to the men’s tournament to achieve financial parity per team. However, estimates suggest that the prize money will amount to approximately one-third of the men’s total.

According to information reported by Sky News, FIFA is expected to double the prize money for the Women’s World Cup, increasing it from the $110 million awarded in 2023 to approximately $220 million for the 2027 edition. Although this represents significant growth and more than seven times the amount allocated to the tournament in France in 2019, the proposal falls short of the equality commitment made by Infantino. The news has generated mixed reactions within women’s football: while some sources acknowledge the progress made during negotiations, a senior female official described the situation as a “huge missed opportunity” for the governing body.

FIFA seeks to address the differences through greater investment in women’s football

One of the arguments surrounding the decision relates to the commercial revenue generated by the competition. FIFA earned approximately $15 billion during the 2026 men’s World Cup cycle, a record figure that contrasts with the difficulties of increasing the resources allocated to the women’s tournament. Infantino had previously criticized broadcasters for the amounts offered to acquire the competition’s television rights, despite the reach achieved by the 2023 edition: 933 million viewers on traditional television and another 895 million through streaming platforms, according to FIFA figures. The final between England and Spain, played in Sydney, reached a global live audience of 67 million people.

At the same time, FIFA has sought to strengthen other financial and logistical benefits for the teams competing in Brazil. This month, it confirmed that women’s national teams will receive the same preparation funds as their male counterparts, with an allocation of more than $2.5 million per team, over twice the previous amount. Players will also be guaranteed business-class or charter flights and individual hotel rooms, conditions intended to bring both tournaments’ experiences closer together. In addition, the governing body has proposed improvements to funding for women’s clubs and additional resources for players participating in the competition. The final decision on the 2027 prize money, meanwhile, is expected to be made at the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for December.

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