FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces backlash over ties to Trump as World Cup kicks off

FIFA’s rulebook has a clear provision: the organization must remain politically neutral. FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears to have read that section and decided it was more of a suggestion.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across the US, Mexico, and Canada, Infantino is catching heat for what critics describe as an uncomfortably cozy relationship with President Donald Trump. The partnership, which Infantino says is purely logistical, has included some gestures that look anything but neutral.

The Trump Tower office and a peace prize nobody asked for

Infantino established a FIFA office inside Trump Tower in New York, a move that raised eyebrows across the global soccer community. The office reportedly remains largely unused, which somehow makes the symbolism even more pointed.

But the real headline-grabber came in December 2025. During the World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. FIFA created a brand-new award and gave the first one to the sitting president of a host nation.

Infantino has also been a frequent visitor to the White House, cultivating a level of access that goes well beyond what previous FIFA presidents maintained with host-nation leaders. The relationship has been described by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter as excessive and a politicization of the organization.

Visa restrictions and on-the-ground consequences

The political entanglement isn’t just optics. It’s having real consequences for the tournament itself.

US visa policies linked to the Trump administration have restricted entry for at least one top referee from Somalia, and fans from multiple nations have been affected by travel restrictions as of June 2026.

Infantino addressed the controversy at a press conference in June 2026, defending his relationship with Trump as essential to the logistical success of hosting matches across three countries.

Trump himself has had his own critiques of the tournament, reportedly criticizing ticket prices and indicating he wouldn’t pay around $1,000 for select matches.

Digital assets and the crypto angle

Amid the political drama, FIFA has been quietly exploring fan-focused digital assets tied to the World Cup. The organization has been hinting at potential developments in the crypto space connected to tournament activities.

What this means for investors

The visa restriction issue also introduces a practical risk. If fans from certain nations can’t attend or engage with the tournament, the addressable market for any digital fan products shrinks accordingly.

Traders watching for FIFA-adjacent crypto plays should keep an eye on whether the organization formally announces any blockchain partnerships during the tournament. History suggests these announcements tend to come during group-stage matches when global viewership peaks.

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