FIFA Chief Accused of Using Trump Ties to Secure Housekeeper’s Work Permit
On November 3, 2026, allegations emerged that FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought help from Carlos Cordeiro, a former FIFA executive and Trump administration World Cup adviser, to obtain new U.S. work authorization for his Nicaraguan housekeeper, Yajarlin del Socorro Fernandez. Fernandez, 33, received a C11 parole work permit in January 2026, months after the administration ended the humanitarian parole program covering Nicaragua and three other countries.
Documents and people familiar with the matter say Fernandez had been working for Infantino’s family while employed on FIFA’s payroll. An internal FIFA letter states that she worked full time for FIFA Americas from August 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025. Her previous authorization was revoked in June 2025, after the Supreme Court allowed the administration to end the program.
Cordeiro was appointed to the White House World Cup task force in May 2025. The task force operated within the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency that issues work permits. People familiar with the matter allege that, at Infantino’s request, Cordeiro first helped arrange for a subordinate’s Miami rental address to appear on Fernandez’s immigration filing instead of the address where she lived and worked. They also say Infantino later asked Cordeiro to use his government contacts to help secure new authorization.
Immigration attorney Michael Wildes said the new permit may indicate preferential treatment, noting that similar applications from people with urgent humanitarian needs are being denied. FIFA did not respond to detailed questions, while Cordeiro said he was unaware of the story. Fernandez’s new permit was granted in January 2026; the accounts differ on the details of her employment after October 2025.
Infantino’s Immigration Favor Raises Questions About Unequal Treatment
On November 3, 2026, allegations that FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought political help for his housekeeper’s immigration case raised questions about who gets access to a second chance. Yajarlin del Socorro Fernandez, 33, received a C11 work permit in January 2026, after the Trump administration ended the humanitarian parole program for Nicaragua and three other countries.
People familiar with the matter allege Infantino turned to Carlos Cordeiro, a former FIFA executive appointed to the White House World Cup task force in May 2025. The task force operated within the Department of Homeland Security, whose agencies oversee work permits. They say Infantino also directed Cordeiro to arrange for a subordinate’s Miami rental address to be used on an earlier immigration filing rather than the address where Fernandez lived and worked.
An internal FIFA letter says Fernandez remained a full-time FIFA Americas employee through October 31, 2025, despite the revocation of her previous work authorization in June. Immigration attorney Michael Wildes said the new permit could reflect favorable treatment, while describing similar approvals as out of reach for many applicants with urgent humanitarian needs.
The allegations put the contrast between ordinary applicants and a person with access to a powerful employer and government-connected adviser at the center of the story. FIFA did not respond to detailed questions; Cordeiro said he was unaware of the story.
FIFA Chief’s Alleged Immigration Favor Undercuts Trump’s Enforcement Agenda
On November 3, 2026, allegations that FIFA President Gianni Infantino tapped a Trump-connected adviser to help his housekeeper obtain work authorization put a basic question of equal enforcement in focus. Fernandez received a new C11 permit in January 2026, months after the administration ended the humanitarian parole program covering Nicaragua and three other countries.
People familiar with the matter allege that Infantino enlisted Carlos Cordeiro, a former FIFA executive appointed to the White House World Cup task force, to use his connections. They also say Cordeiro had previously arranged for a subordinate’s Miami rental address to appear on Fernandez’s immigration filing instead of her actual residence and workplace. The task force operated within the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency issuing work permits.
An internal FIFA letter says Fernandez remained employed full time through October 31, 2025, even though her previous authorization was revoked in June. Immigration attorney Michael Wildes said the new permit may signal preferential treatment, while noting that comparable applications from people with serious humanitarian needs are being rejected.
If the allegations are accurate, special access—not the standards applied to ordinary applicants—may have shaped the outcome. FIFA did not respond to detailed questions, and Cordeiro said he was unaware of the story.
Reported by New York Post, The Daily Beast, Daily Mail US.
