FIFA President Infantino Allegedly Sought Trump Adviser’s Help for Housekeeper’s Work Permit
Leaked documents and sources cited by The New York Post allege that FIFA’s leadership sought federal help for a Nicaraguan employee after her US work authorization was revoked.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and members of his inner circle allegedly turned to a politically connected adviser in the Trump administration to help secure a new US work permit for his Nicaraguan housekeeper, according to a report by The New York Post.
The report, citing leaked documents, audio recordings and three sources familiar with the matter, concerns 33-year-old Yajarlin del Socorro Fernandez. FIFA allegedly continued employing her for months after US authorities revoked her work authorization.
An internal FIFA letter obtained by the newspaper states that Fernandez worked full-time for FIFA (Americas), Inc. from August 1, 2024, through October 31, 2025. The letter was signed by Faviana Urdaneta, FIFA’s People & Culture business partner in Miami.
According to the report, Fernandez’s initial work authorization was revoked in 2025 after the Trump administration moved to end a humanitarian parole program covering nationals of four countries. She later received a new C11 parole-related work authorization in January 2026.
Alleged Intervention by a White House Adviser
The newspaper reported that Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker and then-senior adviser to the White House’s World Cup task force, allegedly coordinated efforts to help Fernandez obtain renewed immigration authorization.
Sources told the Post that Infantino asked Cordeiro to use his government contacts to assist Fernandez. Cordeiro reportedly declined to discuss his alleged role when contacted by the newspaper, saying he was “not aware of the story.”
The report also alleges that an address different from Fernandez’s actual residence was used in immigration filings. According to sources, Cordeiro instructed a subordinate during a May 2024 meeting to submit a Miami rental address on her paperwork.
Fernandez’s initial authorization was later revoked, and she reportedly faced an interview with federal immigration officers in fall 2025. Sources said the discrepancy in her residential records prompted concern as officials examined her case.
Questions Over Continued Employment
Sources cited by the newspaper said Infantino’s staff had warned him about continuing to employ Fernandez after her work authorization ended.
One FIFA insider reportedly cautioned that keeping her on the organization’s payroll could create legal problems if immigration authorities discovered the arrangement.
The Post also reported that Infantino’s wife, Leena Al Ashqar, initially hired Fernandez before she had obtained her first work permit. The family later moved to Miami’s One Thousand Museum residential tower.
Florida state records reportedly list FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and Chief Legal Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero among the directors of FIFA (Americas), Inc.
Immigration Attorney Raises Concerns
Immigration attorney Michael Wildes, who has represented First Lady Melania Trump, told the Post that C11 work authorization generally depends on the validity of the applicant’s underlying parole status.
Wildes said that if Fernandez’s parole had been terminated along with the broader program, she would ordinarily lose the basis for renewing that authorization. He also suggested that her new permit could indicate preferential treatment.
The newspaper reported that C11 work permits are issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security. A DHS spokesperson did not respond to the Post’s questions about Fernandez’s new authorization.
The report noted that such permits are commonly associated with people facing urgent humanitarian circumstances, including those fleeing war or certain family members of US military personnel.
FIFA Faces Renewed Scrutiny
The allegations add to scrutiny surrounding Infantino, who became FIFA president in 2016 after a corruption scandal engulfed the organization’s previous leadership.
Infantino is also facing fallout from a failed proposal to privatize parts of FIFA’s commercial operations. The plan reportedly envisioned a subsidiary valued at $20 billion and a minority stake sale to private investors, including Thrive Capital. The Post reported in July that the proposal had collapsed amid opposition.
Infantino is expected to face a presidential election in March 2027.
The claims regarding Fernandez’s employment and immigration filings remain allegations reported by The New York Post. The newspaper said Cordeiro declined to address his alleged involvement, while the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to its inquiries.
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