The report’s case is straightforward: Infantino has overseen an era of expansion.
That matters because influence in modern football is no longer just about prestige. It is about calendar control, competition design and revenue streams. Ahead of a World Cup staged largely in the United States, the ability to steer the global schedule gives Infantino unusual leverage.
The ranking also reflects where power is concentrating.
That blend of politics, ownership and media is now hard to separate. The biggest clubs are global businesses, and the people controlling distribution, regulation and investment often carry more sway than any coach or sporting director.
Even so, star players remain power centres of their own. The report places Cristiano Ronaldo in the top ten, citing the global effect of his move to Al-Nassr and the visibility it brought to the Saudi Pro League. Lionel Messi also features prominently, with the report saying his arrival elevated Inter Miami and broadened MLS attention worldwide.
The next test of this hierarchy will come as 2026 draws closer. Watch the tournament build-up, the politics around hosting and the commercial battles around club football - that is where the game’s real influence is likely to be measured.