Klaveness Urges FIFA to Act on Remedy, Challenges Infantino 2026

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, is calling for FIFA to provide remedy for workers harmed during World Cup preparations and has implicitly challenged Gianni Infantino’s leadership. In an interview, she said: “Certainly there are people that can challenge Infantino.”

Klaveness wants to re-engage FIFA and other governing bodies on the topic of remedy—an arcane aspect of human rights policy that became prominent after the Qatar World Cup. Families of workers injured or killed during tournament-related work were left without financial compensation after FIFA directed a legacy fund elsewhere.

What Happened in Qatar and Why Remedy Matters

During the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, numerous migrant workers were injured or killed. FIFA established a legacy fund but chose not to allocate money to remedy for those workers. Klaveness pushed FIFA to conduct a review, which ultimately found the organization had a responsibility to provide remedy. However, FIFA chose not to redirect the money.

Remedy, in human rights terms, means providing compensation or other forms of redress to those whose rights have been violated. For Klaveness, this is not just a legal obligation but a moral one. She wants to ensure that future tournaments have mechanisms in place to address harm.

Klaveness’s Strategy to Re-engage FIFA

Klaveness is focusing on upcoming tournaments: Euro 2028, co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. She aims to make sure new practices are in place for these events.

“Of course we cannot probably do everything alone, but we have a voice, we have the right to speak, we have the right to suggest, so let’s see,” she says. “We will at least try to be a spearhead.”

Key Takeaways

• Klaveness is pushing FIFA to provide remedy for workers harmed during World Cup preparations.
• FIFA’s review found a responsibility to provide remedy, but the organization did not act.
• She is targeting Euro 2028 and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia for new practices.
• Klaveness acknowledges challenges but believes collective action can force change.
• Her comments come at a delicate time for FIFA leadership.

Challenges and Opportunities

Klaveness faces an uphill battle. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consolidated power and secured a recent mandate from member associations. However, Klaveness believes that collective pressure can still yield results.

She points to the example of the Qatar review, which forced FIFA to acknowledge its responsibility. Now she wants to turn that acknowledgment into action. The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia presents a particular challenge, as labor rights groups have raised concerns about worker conditions and a lack of external scrutiny.

Comparison of Tournament Contexts

What This Means for FIFA and the Future

Klaveness’s campaign is part of a broader push for accountability in global football governance. As FIFA prepares for major tournaments, the pressure to address human rights issues is growing. Her efforts could reshape how FIFA handles remedy and set a precedent for future events.

For businesses and investors, these developments matter. FIFA’s decisions on remedy and human rights affect its reputation and relationships with sponsors. Companies increasingly scrutinize human rights records when partnering with sports organizations.

Klaveness’s call for remedy also ties into wider discussions about corporate responsibility. As we’ve seen in other sectors, ignoring human rights can lead to reputational damage and financial risk. For more on how businesses navigate these issues, see our analysis of corporate accountability in sports. The background to this story is set out in FIFA Leadership Challenge: Infantino Faces Council Rebellion. A related thread runs through Gianni Infantino Faces Fifa Leadership Challenge as Council. Earlier coverage in FIFA President Gianni Infantino Faces Mounting Pressure shows how the argument developed.

The coming months will be crucial. Klaveness plans to use her position to push for change, but she needs allies. The support of other football associations and stakeholders will be essential. If she succeeds, it could mark a turning point in FIFA’s approach to human rights. A closer look at the same subject appears in World Football Split on FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Anyone following the wider picture can start with FIFA Leadership Crisis: Which Confederations Support Infantino?. The same theme surfaces in FIFA Leadership Crisis: Infantino Loses UEFA Confidence, which takes a different angle.

As the rain continues in Oslo, Klaveness remains determined. “We will at least try to be a spearhead,” she says. Her resolve underscores the growing demand for accountability in football governance. Context on how this played out before sits in Infantino Must Stand Down: FIFA Leadership Crisis Demands Action. A companion piece, 100,000 Sign Complaint Against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ

Who is Lise Klaveness?

Lise Klaveness is the president of the Norwegian Football Federation. She has been a vocal advocate for human rights in football, particularly regarding remedy for workers harmed during World Cup preparations.

What does remedy mean in the context of FIFA?

Remedy refers to providing compensation or other forms of redress to individuals whose rights have been violated. In FIFA’s case, it involves compensating workers injured or killed during tournament-related work.

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Why is Klaveness challenging Infantino?

Klaveness believes FIFA needs to take responsibility for remedy and that Infantino’s leadership has not sufficiently addressed the issue. She suggests that others can challenge him, implying a need for alternative leadership.

What are the next steps for Klaveness’s campaign?

Klaveness plans to engage FIFA and other governing bodies to establish remedy practices for Euro 2028 and the 2034 World Cup. She aims to build coalitions and use her voice to push for change.

As the debate over remedy continues, it’s clear that Klaveness’s efforts are part of a larger movement to hold football’s governing bodies accountable. The outcome will have implications not just for FIFA but for the entire sports industry.

For those following corporate governance in sports, this story is one to watch. It highlights the tension between commercial interests and human rights, and the role of leadership in addressing them.