Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s close ties with Donald Trump have come under fresh scrutiny after the governing body opened an office in Trump Tower, making it a tenant of a company owned by the US president. The move is the latest in a series of gestures that critics say go beyond normal diplomatic courtesy.
Infantino was a prominent figure at Trump’s second inauguration in January and has been a frequent guest at Mar-a-Lago and the Oval Office. In December 2024, Ivanka Trump drew the draw for the Club World Cup, a $1bn tournament hosted in the US this summer. Infantino has also posed for photos with world leaders at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit, where he was invited at Trump’s personal request.
This pattern of political engagement is not new for Infantino. During the pandemic, he attended the signing of the Abraham Accords in Washington. He has also kicked a football with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin and attended a boxing match with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman. However, his relationship with Trump appears particularly close.
The Fifa chief’s career has been marked by strategic networking. At age 18, he won the presidency of his local amateur club, FC Brig-Glis, by promising that his mother would wash the players’ kits. This early victory showcased his ability to appeal to basic desires and his vaulting ambition.
Infantino insists that his interactions with politicians are part of his role, especially with the US co-hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup, which generates over 80% of Fifa’s revenue. Yet observers note that his overtures go beyond standard protocol, raising questions about the politicisation of football’s governing body.
