FIFA's Gamble: Can It Stay Neutral With Trump Administration Close By?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's close ties to the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 World Cup risk damaging the federation's independence. A December 2025 group draw at the Kennedy Center showed direct U.S. government involvement. In regions skeptical of American power, this proximity could undermine FIFA's credibility—a trust the organization has struggled to rebuild since past corruption scandals.