Since the United States secured the opportunity to co-host the 2026 World Cup, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has sought to align himself closely with Donald Trump. His goal appears to be gaining favorable treatment for Fifa from the U.S. government. However, this strategy has backfired, echoing the experiences of others who have made similar compromises with the controversial president, ultimately tarnishing the sport.
Soccer, at its core, is celebrated for its inclusivity, democratic nature, and accessibility. Billions share this passion, and the sport’s cultural significance positions it as a potential unifying force, as Fifa often claims. This spirit was evident at the World Cup’s onset, where, despite Trump’s stringent policies against immigrants, the welcoming demeanor of many Americans shone through for visiting teams and fans.
Infantino, however, has compromised these essential values by aligning Fifa with Trump, whose political agenda is marked by division and hostility. Given that his actions detract from the integrity of soccer, particularly by involving himself in the domestic politics of my country, I feel compelled to openly criticize them.
For decades, the World Cup has been used by political figures to bolster their nationalistic agendas, often at the expense of Fifa’s integrity; historical examples include Mussolini’s Italy in 1934 and Argentina’s military junta in 1978. Now, however, it is the president of Fifa himself who is willingly damaging the sport’s reputation. Recently, he allowed his personal ties with Trump to influence the disciplinary process concerning U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension; previously, he had created a so-called ‘peace prize’ for a leader known for his aggressive military posturing.
Shortly after receiving this award, Trump initiated a regime change in Venezuela, issued threats against NATO allies, and started an unlawful conflict with Iran. These actions resulted in uncertainty regarding their World Cup participation and forced the team to relocate their training base to Mexico. Infantino’s association with Trump has jeopardized Fifa’s already fragile reputation by linking it to his unpredictable foreign policy. While the World Cup may achieve financial success, no profits can erase the ethical blemish of endorsing Trump’s militaristic strategies in the name of soccer.
It is essential for Fifa to maintain a constructive relationship with the host nation’s government; however, Infantino has repeatedly blurred the lines between diplomacy and subservience. His frequent visits to the White House and his prioritization of Trump have overshadowed significant moments, such as Chelsea’s victory at the Club World Cup and discussions during last year’s Fifa Congress. Moreover, he has politicized Fifa’s mission by implicitly endorsing Trump, as detailed in the FairSquare ethics complaint against him. Infantino has even redirected some of Fifa’s resources, intended for the sport’s global development, towards Trump by leasing office space in Trump Tower, despite already having a permanent Fifa office in Miami.
Even supporters of Infantino’s relationship with Trump as a pragmatic choice must confront what he has secured in return: claims of meddling in Fifa’s disciplinary processes during the World Cup and threats to annex Canada or strike Mexico, both co-hosts of the tournament. Looking forward to the 2031 Women’s World Cup, Trump is reportedly using the necessary governmental guarantees for the U.S. bid as leverage to impose his desired policies on Fifa.
In the case of Balogun, soccer’s integrity has suffered the most significant blow. While U.S. Soccer may have gained from having a star player reinstated, the broader implications are troubling. Our players found themselves caught in a political uproar before a crucial match, and this contentious backdrop will forever taint what should have been a showcase of American soccer. The accusations of favoritism and potential corruption cast a shadow over U.S. Soccer’s credibility globally. To add insult to injury, Infantino intends to reward Trump by having him present the World Cup trophy on Sunday.
The lack of accountability for Infantino’s actions, which have sullied soccer’s reputation, underscores a deeper struggle for the sport’s future—whether it will remain a force for good or devolve into autocracy and commercialization. I firmly believe it should not go this way; soccer leaders must reject Infantino’s self-serving and transactional approach to the beautiful game.
It is heartening to see that others are beginning to voice their concerns, not just in response to Fifa’s Disciplinary Committee decisions. Uefa, Fifa’s European branch, has criticized Infantino’s pursuit of “all that Trump bootlicking” that “private political interests” The former chair of Fifa’s governance committee described it as a “does the game no service,” of Fifa’s ethical standards. Senior Fifa staff have pushed back against Infantino’s attempts to curry favor with Trump; one vice-president even condemned Trump’s politically motivated threats against certain host cities. Furthermore, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation has called for the abolition of the ‘peace prize’ and supports an ethics investigation into Infantino. While many Fifa members publicly back Infantino’s reelection, privately, they express frustration over his “level of vanity,” and Uefa may be seeking a challenger for him.
All Fifa members have a responsibility to safeguard the sport’s integrity and rescue Fifa from itself, even at the risk of retribution. In the short term, I hope federations worldwide will find the courage to oppose Infantino’s vision for soccer; in the long run, I urge them to pursue governance reforms that distribute power away from the Fifa president and towards the Council, Congress, and Secretary General, ensuring that no single individual can unilaterally act against soccer’s best interests again. Perhaps the greatest legacy of this World Cup will be the inspiration it provides to defend the values that establish soccer as the people’s game.
- Nathán Goldberg Crenier serves as the elected vice-president of the US Soccer Federation. This editorial represents his personal opinions and does not necessarily reflect the positions or views of US Soccer.
- World Cup 2026
- Fifa
- Gianni Infantino
- Football politics
- USA
- World Cup
- Donald Trump
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