LODZ, Poland -- As Gianni Infantino handed the under-20 Women's World Cup trophy to Cristina Libran, it was as much a victory for the embattled FIFA president as for the players. Infantino loves a photo opportunity, but here he was overseeing another trophy presentation in hostile European territory, at a tournament that almost didn't happen due to the conflict he triggered among power brokers.

Just two months ago, Infantino faced a battle for survival after his failed attempt to raise $20 billion by selling a stake in future FIFA tournaments to Thrive Capital, headed by Josh Kushner. The plan led to fury, and confederations UEFA, Concacaf and AFC called for him to step down, with UEFA vowing to boycott all FIFA tournaments until he surrendered his position.

But UEFA's boycott threat was compromised by Poland's status as host. On Aug. 26, UEFA dropped its threat after assurances from FIFA. So the tournament went ahead, and there was Infantino, fresh off an 8-hour, 40-minute overnight flight from Antigua on the Qatar Executive Gulfstream Jet.

Infantino has been a globetrotter, visiting Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, the British Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua, and holding meetings in New York. Winning reelection at the FIFA congress next March is all that remains.