McIntyre left speechless after surprise face-to-face with Infantino amid World Cup ban row

Comedian Michael McIntyre has described a disarming encounter with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at a World Cup match, admitting he was so flustered he could only say the word “FIFA” before his intended message fell apart.

McIntyre appeared on Saturday’s episode of the Rest is Football show on Netflix alongside host Gary Lineker and former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole. Lineker pressed the comedian on the impromptu meeting, which took place while McIntyre was attending a match as a guest.

“One of the nice people I was with said, ‘Gianni’s coming in’, and I didn’t know who that was,” McIntyre explained. “But then Infantino was there.”

Lineker asked whether McIntyre had used the moment to lobby for the overturning of England defender Jarell Quansah’s suspension — Quansah was sent off during England’s 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico. McIntyre’s response suggested the opportunity slipped away almost immediately.

“I actually said one word, and I don’t know if it even is a word. I just shook his hand and said, ‘FIFA’,” McIntyre said. “I was going to build to something. My brain was going, ‘What do I say?’ FIFA was the subject of the email, but I never got to the contents; I just said ‘FIFA’.”

The anecdote arrives against a backdrop of genuine controversy surrounding FIFA’s handling of player suspensions at the 2026 World Cup. The governing body suspended the automatic ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun following his red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina, allowing him to feature in the USA’s round-of-16 tie against Belgium. The decision, which came after intervention from US President Donald Trump, drew widespread criticism across the football world. Balogun started the match, but the USA were beaten 4-1 in Seattle.

England, meanwhile, are preparing for their quarter-final against Norway, with the winner set to face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.