{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/b2fb5f0b-0ce7-4e5c-b6e0-9b1febd06aea/6a2f185a6cf76d774508bd66?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"World Cup 2026: The ruthless rise of Gianni Infantino  ","description":"<p>As World Cup 2026 kicks off, Gianni Infantino’s grip on international football is total.</p><p><br></p><p>Infantino was brought in to clean up Fifa’s image after the murky Sepp Blatter years, to restore transparency and boost the game globally.</p><p><br></p><p>But if Fifa thought it was getting a self-effacing, legally trained bureaucrat who would stay in the background, it was very wrong. Now after 10 years at the helm, he is Fifa.</p><p><br></p><p>So how has he dealt with the many complex controversies surrounding the tournament? Why is it the biggest ever World Cup, spread over three countries? How can he be a friend to all, at all times, from Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin? And how long will Infantino stay president of world football?</p><p><br></p><p>Irish Times sports correspondent Gavin Cooney discusses his rise to the top of the international game.</p><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey.&nbsp;</p>","author_name":"The Irish Times"}