Running on empty, Trump turns to Putin to fuel midterm hopes

In 2022, FIFA spent $4 million to rent a suite in New York City's Trump Tower. According to a report in The New York Times, this lease was signed about a year before the World Cup in 2022. Most of FIFA's American employees are based out of two offices in Miami, and there are currently no plans to staff the Trump Tower location. Some high-ranking FIFA officials have expressed concerns over the expensive rent, ties to President Donald Trump, and the fact that the organization has no clear need for such space.

The deal has also highlighted the close personal relationship between Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who met at Trump's 2025 inauguration and presented him with FIFA's Peace Prize. Trump and Infantino's bond grew during Trump's second term as the 2026 World Cup preparations began. Despite Trump's claims of calling Infantino after a controversial red card decision during the World Cup, FIFA defended the lease arrangement, stating it complies with local laws and was signed per FIFA's standard internal process.

Infantino led the decision to open the office in Trump Tower, according to two sources. The 5,000-square-foot space is mostly utilized for special events and UN General Assembly sessions. FIFA spokesperson noted that New York being a global city made it logical for FIFA to have a presence there. FIFA president Gianni Infantino's close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked scrutiny and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

A former FIFA governance head, Miguel Maduro, called the lease a clear conflict of interest due to FIFA's interest in the U.S. World Cup and partnership with Trump's Board of Peace. Former FIFA official Alex Phillips dismissed the new office as an unnecessary level of pandering. The close relationship between Trump and Infantino came to light when Trump received FIFA's Peace Prize in December 2025, a month after Norwegian activist María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Infantino also attended a meeting of Trump's Board of Peace aimed at rebuilding Gaza following its conflict with Israel. FIFA's relationship with Trump has led to an ethics complaint by Norway's soccer federation, accusing Infantino of possible abuse of power and conflict of interest.