Infantino’s Yearslong Effort to Woo Trump for the World Cup
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- FIFA has leased an office on the 17th floor of New York’s Trump Tower for the past year, paying rent to President Trump’s family business, though the space remains largely unused.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino has prioritized maintaining a close relationship with President Trump, publicly praising him and attending Trump-related events to secure support for the upcoming World Cup.
- Infantino’s supporters view his approach as pragmatic, aiming to manage a volatile president who responds well to praise and gifts, ensuring the World Cup proceeds smoothly without disruptions.
- FIFA seeks to increase its profile and growth in the U.S. market while shedding its past reputation for corruption; Infantino was unsuccessful in engaging the Biden administration but found a willing partner in Trump.
- Infantino has become a regular visitor to the Oval Office, reflecting a significant shift from a decade ago when soccer executives feared traveling to the U.S. due to legal concerns.