Inside Trump and Infantino’s Partnership Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

It wasn’t a diplomatic summit, but a football match — yet that’s where history quietly shifted.

In July 2025, inside a VIP box at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino discussed more than Chelsea’s Club World Cup victory. They talked about moving one of the most symbolic events in football — the World Cup draw — from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C. Weeks later, the Kennedy Center was confirmed as the host venue.

This moment reflected more than logistics; it showcased the growing bond between Trump and Infantino, forged since the U.S. secured hosting rights for the 2026 tournament.

Infantino, who once called Trump “my great friend,” has frequently aligned with world leaders before major World Cups — from Putin in 2018 to Qatari officials in 2022. But his U.S. partnership stands apart, intertwining FIFA’s global stage with presidential influence.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, this alliance could shape everything from the tournament’s image to its political undertones.