Trump and Infantino's Collaboration on World Cup Draw
In July, during the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, President Donald Trump engaged in discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The focal point of their conversation was the upcoming draw for the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., specifically at the Kennedy Center. Initially anticipated to be held in Las Vegas, officials had shifted plans to leverage the capital's spotlight, particularly under Trump’s administration.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA task force, commented on the significance of their meeting, noting the urgency of finalizing the draw's location. The World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5, 2025, will determine the matchups for the group stage of FIFA's most prestigious tournament. Trump and Infantino's agreement to host this event in Washington marks a pivotal collaboration between U.S. officials and FIFA.
The bond between Trump and Infantino has been characterized as a unique alliance, with Trump describing Infantino as “probably the most respected man in sports.” Their relationship has developed amidst preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Despite Trump's historical inclination towards golf and American football, his interest in soccer grew largely due to his son, Barron Trump, who is an avid soccer fan.
Trump's engagement with FIFA intensified after the U.S. won the hosting rights for the World Cup in 2018. Following that victory, he hosted Infantino at the White House, and their camaraderie flourished further. Infantino's connections with Trump appear to be strategic, particularly as he has fostered relationships with various nations hosting World Cups in the past. His fascination with public meetings has included interactions with notable figures like Vladimir Putin during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a move to Doha leading up to the controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In contrast, Infantino's rapport with the current U.S. administration under President Joe Biden is notably less robust. Their interactions have been minimal, with only a brief meeting at the G20 summit in November 2022 and a meeting with Douglas Emhoff, the Second Gentleman of the United States, during the Women’s World Cup in July 2023. Biden's administration has kept World Cup preparations discreet, aware of the sensitivities surrounding large gatherings post-COVID-19 pandemic and the potential backlash from sidelining the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Subsequently, Trump's political resurgence has rekindled the FIFA connection. Following Trump's return to a second, nonconsecutive term, Infantino’s gestures toward Trump have been increasingly favorable. He congratulated Trump immediately after his election victory, attended events during the transition, and participated in activities during the inauguration. Infantino's public presence has been more prominent at Trump's side than with any officials from FIFA’s traditional strongholds in Europe and South America—a point illustrated by an unexpected gift he presented to Trump: a gold replica of the World Cup trophy during a meeting in the Oval Office on August 22, 2025.
Despite the unofficial tradition surrounding the World Cup trophy, which symbolizes collective sport rather than individual possession, Infantino's gesture underscores the deepening ties with Trump. This relationship signifies not only a partnership centered around the World Cup but also reflects broader geopolitical connections, especially as the World Cup approaches a historical footnote with the three-nation collaboration.
