Football and politics collided again when AS chief international football editor Aritz Gabilondo published a sharply critical column on Aug. 2, 2026.
Gabilondo argued that Trump had gained excessive prominence around FIFA and that President Gianni Infantino had allowed political and commercial controversies to damage the organization’s credibility. He cited Trump’s chairmanship of the U.S. World Cup task force, White House appearances with Infantino, the FIFA Peace Prize, the Folarin Balogun disciplinary controversy, and FIFA’s abandoned commercial-rights proposal.
The column framed these events as evidence that Trump’s relationship with Infantino had crossed ethical boundaries and placed FIFA’s political neutrality under greater scrutiny.
A Spanish columnist targets Trump’s FIFA role
AS published, Aritz Gabilondo’s column “Trump revienta el fútbol,” or “Trump wrecks football,” on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026.
Gabilondo argued that Trump had gained too much influence around FIFA and exceeded the minimum ethical limits expected in football governance. He concluded that, when forced to choose between Trump and football, the public would choose the sport.
The column was part of a wider series of recent AS opinion pieces questioning Infantino’s leadership following the Balogun controversy and the abandoned FIFA commercial-rights proposal.
Infantino’s dealings with world leaders
Infantino has regularly worked with heads of state since becoming FIFA president on Feb. 26, 2016. His position requires extensive contact with governments hosting FIFA tournaments.
He appeared with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2018 World Cup and joined Putin and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the symbolic handover between the 2018 and 2022 host nations. Infantino also appeared alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the opening of the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA has developed strong ties with Morocco as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Matches celebrating the tournament’s centenary will also be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Trump chairs the U.S. World Cup task force
Trump established the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 through an executive order signed on March 7, 2025. The order designated the president as chair and the vice president as vice chair.
The task force coordinated work by U.S. federal departments and agencies on security, transportation, planning, and other preparations for the Club World Cup and World Cup. It did not govern FIFA or oversee preparations in Canada and Mexico, which remained equal tournament co-hosts.
Trump’s chairmanship nevertheless became part of the political debate surrounding FIFA because of his prominent appearances with Infantino and his involvement in several World Cup-related controversies.
The White House becomes a World Cup stage
Trump and Infantino used the Oval Office for several World Cup-related appearances. On March 7, 2025, Infantino joined Trump as the president signed the order creating the White House task force. On Aug. 22, they announced that the Kennedy Center would host the tournament’s final draw.
The appearances placed the World Cup trophy and FIFA branding inside presidential events and reinforced public perceptions of a close relationship between Trump and Infantino. AP later reported that the two had been in regular discussions about the tournament.
Fun fact: the 2026 World Cup features an expanded format with 48 teams for the very first time ever, making commercial stakes far higher than any previous tournament in football history.
The controversial FIFA Peace Prize
In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with the newly created FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw held at the Kennedy Center. FIFA called it recognition for exceptional peacemaking efforts made worldwide this year.
Trump had recently been passed over for the actual Nobel Peace Prize, which went instead to Venezuelan campaigner Maria Corina Machado. Critics called the FIFA award a consolation prize arranged by a loyal football ally.
Fifty members of the European Parliament later sent FIFA an official letter urging an ethics review. They demanded proof of political neutrality following mounting criticism of the ceremony, its optics, and its overall poor timing.
FIFA abandons a commercial-rights proposal
In July 2026, Infantino proposed creating a new FIFA commercial-rights subsidiary valued at approximately $20 billion and selling a 20% stake to outside investors. The transaction was expected to raise about $4.2 billion.
The proposal involved a stake in an entity that handles commercial rights for the World Cup and other FIFA competitions. It was not a sale of 20% of all World Cup revenue. Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, was expected to head the investor group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
FIFA withdrew the proposal on July 31 following intense opposition. After an Aug. 5 crisis meeting, FIFA apologized to its member associations, promised a review, and acknowledged that the process should have been handled differently.
FIFA’s leadership dispute deepens
Criticism of Infantino intensified after the Balogun disciplinary controversy and the abandoned commercial-rights proposal. UEFA and CONCACAF said they had lost confidence in his leadership, while the Asian Football Confederation criticized FIFA’s lack of consultation.
FIFA’s management board reaffirmed support for Infantino after an Aug. 5 crisis meeting in Morocco. The organization also apologized to its member associations, promised a review, and acknowledged that the commercial-rights process should have been handled differently.
FIFA opened a representative office in Trump Tower in New York in July 2025 as it prepared for its U.S.-based tournaments. The location added to scrutiny of FIFA’s relationship with Trump, although FIFA described the office as part of its operational presence in the United States.
Fun fact: FIFA now operates office space inside Trump Tower in New York City, a detail critics say symbolizes how intertwined the organization has become with the president’s business empire.
TL;DR
- AS columnist Aritz Gabilondo accused Trump of gaining excessive influence around FIFA and crossing ethical limits.
- Infantino has regularly worked with political leaders since becoming FIFA president in 2016.
- Trump chaired a U.S. federal task force for the 2026 World Cup, while Canada and Mexico remained tournament co-hosts. Trump and Infantino made several World Cup-related appearances at the White House.
- Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize on Dec. 5, 2025.
- Trump asked Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card before FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the automatic 1-match ban.
- FIFA abandoned a proposal to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial-rights entity to outside investors.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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