When MAGA met FIFA: Inside Trump’s cosy relationship with Gianni Infantino
President Trump has given his full backing to embattled Infantino as the FIFA president faces ongoing pressure to step down
President Donald Trump has maintained a close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, even as Infantino faces criticism for his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions. Trump defended Infantino, calling him "fantastic" and warning that his ousting would negatively impact the success and profitability of future World Cups.
The pair have been friends since 2018, when Trump hosted Infantino at the White House as both men were preparing to take office as FIFA and U.S. presidents, respectively. The two met again in 2020 at a Davos event, where Infantino invited Trump to the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accords.
Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Infantino in 2025, citing his role in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine. Infantino has also proposed building an academy and a 20,000-seat stadium in Gaza, as well as a subsidiary to run World Cup events, which has faced international criticism. Despite this, Infantino is seeking re-election in March 2026.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
