FIFA spent $4M renting space in Trump Tower - it just sits empty

FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, recently signed a seven-year lease for a $4 million office suite in New York City's Trump Tower. However, the space remains largely vacant, with the majority of FIFA's American employees operating from two locations in Miami. No plans have been made to staff the Trump Tower office, according to sources cited by The New York Times.

The deal has raised questions regarding FIFA's need for such an extravagant space and the close relationship between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. Infantino, who attended Trump's 2025 inauguration and later presented him with the FIFA Peace Prize, has been criticized for his conduct during the 2022 World Cup, which saw controversial red card decisions and a controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup and other competitions.

FIFA defended the lease arrangement, stating that it complies with local laws and was signed following FIFA's standard internal process. The decision to open an office in Trump Tower was led by Infantino, and the nearly 5,000-square-foot space is primarily utilized for special events and during the United Nations General Assembly.

Critics, including former FIFA governance head Miguel Maduro and former official Alex Phillips, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from the arrangement. Maduro argued that the lease raises a clear conflict of interest given FIFA's interests in the U.S. World Cup or its partnership with Trump's Board of Peace. Phillips called the office "a completely unnecessary level of pandering."

The relationship between Trump and Infantino has become increasingly close, particularly during Trump's second term and the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize from Infantino in December 2025, praising him for his "pivotal role" in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine. This award came months after Venezuelan activist María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, despite Trump's insistence on receiving the accolade.

Infantino's ties to Trump have also led to an ethics complaint from Norway's soccer federation, accusing him of abuse of power and conflict of interest.