NextFin news, During the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino referred to former U.S. President Donald Trump as "my great friend," a remark that marked the beginning of intensified collaboration between the two figures on the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.
The dinner took place near FIFA's headquarters in Zurich and set the stage for a series of strategic discussions, including the decision to hold the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., rather than the initially expected Las Vegas. This decision was finalized during a July 2025 meeting at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Trump and Infantino agreed to host the draw at the Kennedy Center in the U.S. capital on December 5, 2025.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA task force, told The Associated Press that the July meeting was pivotal, with both leaders expressing urgency to finalize plans for the draw event. The choice of Washington, D.C., reflects Trump's affinity for the spotlight and his influence on the event's staging.
Trump's interest in soccer grew notably after the U.S. won the bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, a process that began in 2018. His youngest son, Barron Trump, is a passionate soccer fan, which further fueled the former president's engagement with the sport. Trump and Infantino's relationship deepened over the years, with Infantino attending key Trump events, including the Abraham Accords signing at the White House and Trump's January 2025 inauguration.
Infantino has publicly described his relationship with Trump as "crucial" to the success of the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with federal, state, and local governments. This relationship contrasts with Infantino's limited interactions with President Joe Biden's administration, which maintained a lower profile on World Cup preparations due to pandemic sensitivities.
Since Trump's re-election in 2024, Infantino has been notably supportive, congratulating Trump promptly after the election and maintaining a visible presence at Trump-related events. In August 2025, Infantino surprised many by gifting Trump a gold replica of the World Cup trophy during a White House visit, a gesture seen by some as breaking with World Cup tradition.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be influenced significantly by the Trump-Infantino alliance, with the World Cup draw event in Washington symbolizing their strengthened ties and shared vision for the tournament.
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