Set just a mile from the White House, Friday’s World Cup draw is poised to carry a strong political undertone.
The lavish ceremony will occur at the Kennedy Center, the prestigious Washington arts venue now led by US President Donald Trump, who revamped its board earlier this year.
Attendees will include celebrities from the world of football, as well as notable figures from US sports and entertainment, with Trump in attendance alongside the leaders of the other two co-hosts, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Proceedings appear to have been crafted with the US president in mind.
The iconic band Village People is set to perform “YMCA,” a song often associated with Trump’s campaign rallies. Additionally, the draw will deviate from tradition by featuring the presentation of a new Fifa Peace Prize, with widespread expectation that Trump will be the recipient.
These gestures highlight the alliance between Trump and Fifa President Gianni Infantino, who announced the award last month, suggesting that Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, while also lauding his policies.
Critics view these actions as a challenge to Fifa’s supposed commitment to political neutrality, as outlined in its statutes, fearing they could turn the draw and the tournament into tools for propaganda.
They argue that Infantino and Trump are overly close, implying that Fifa is aligning itself with the controversial Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement and endorsing a division within the political landscape. They question the wisdom of Fifa aligning so closely with a leader who recently made derogatory remarks about Somali immigrants, referring to them as “garbage.”
When questioned about the new award at a time when the Fifa Council was reportedly not consulted, one senior official remarked to BBC Sport: “Why can’t this be more significant than the Nobel Peace Prize? Football has immense global appeal, making it appropriate that it recognizes extraordinary efforts towards peace each year.”
They noted that in 2019, there was no controversy when Fifa awarded the Argentine president for his contributions to football, arguing that the organization should be commended for promoting peace in a divided world.
A Unique Partnership
Unlike President Bill Clinton, who opted not to attend the World Cup draw in 1994, when the US last hosted the tournament, Trump’s prominent involvement is expected, given the global exposure the World Cup presents him.
Signaling potential atmospheres for next year’s event, Trump attended the Club World Cup final this year, where he remained on the podium as Chelsea celebrated their victory, clearly relishing the attention after presenting them with the trophy.
More recently, he welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo at a White House dinner for the Saudi Crown Prince. Shortly thereafter, FIFA granted Ronaldo a reprieve by suspending two matches of his three-match ban following a red card for elbowing Dara O’Shea in a match against Ireland, ensuring he could participate in Portugal’s opening games at the World Cup.
Trump and Infantino have frequently appeared together at various events outside the realm of sports.
Since first meeting in the Oval Office in 2018 during Trump’s initial term, Infantino has been spotted alongside Trump at significant gatherings, including the Davos Economic Forum, the signing of the Abraham Accords in Washington in 2020, and as a guest at Trump’s second inauguration in January.
Fifa publicly acknowledged their close friendship post-event, with Infantino asserting that it was sensible considering the significance of the US hosting both the expanded Club World Cup and the World Cup.
Fifa also emphasized that Infantino is dedicated to advancing and promoting the sport internationally and regularly meets with other world leaders.
While Infantino seemed to share less rapport with President Joe Biden during his administration, he has enjoyed close ties with other heads of state.
Since taking over from Sepp Blatter nearly a decade ago amid a significant corruption scandal, Infantino has cultivated a relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who awarded him a medal for Friendship in 2019, in addition to forging links with leaders of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, other World Cup hosts.
Infantino’s close affiliations with such leaders have drawn scrutiny, but his relationship with Trump has attracted the most controversy within football.
Earlier this year, UEFA delegates staged a walkout from Fifa Congress in Paraguay when Infantino arrived late after joining Trump on a Middle East trip, criticizing him for prioritizing “private political interests” detrimental to the sport.
In 2018, Infantino publicly stated that “politics should stay out of football, and football should stay out of politics.”
However, he defended his trip with Trump, arguing it was essential for “representing football” in crucial discussions with “world leaders in politics and economics.”
This episode intensified scrutiny of their relationship, compounded by Fifa’s decision to open an office in Trump’s New York Tower. Infantino also attended a summit in Egypt recently, where he appeared alongside Trump and other leaders in signing a declaration for peace in Gaza.
The only sports leader present, Infantino suggested that football could aid peace efforts and pledged Fifa’s support for rebuilding facilities in Gaza—a choice that raised eyebrows once more.
[Getty Images]
A World Cup of Inclusivity?
In the context of such political theatrics within the realm of football, there are apprehensions surrounding the influence of Trump’s policies and rhetoric on the World Cup, particularly regarding how inviting the environment will be for visitors from certain nations.
In June, the White House identified 19 countries, mostly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, facing full or partial immigration restrictions due to perceived security threats.
With rumors suggesting this list could expand to encompass up to 30 nations following the identification of a suspect in a recent shooting incident, Fifa has pledged to create a welcoming and unifying tournament.
However, Iran and Haiti, both of which have qualified for the World Cup, are affected by the restrictions. Recently, Iran indicated they would boycott the draw due to the limited number of visas allotted for their delegation.
While the June executive order exempts athletes and coaching staff attending the World Cup, fans could face bans.
“We aim to be as welcoming as possible,” stated Andrew Giuliani, the White House’s World Cup Task Force executive director, on Wednesday.
Giuliani praised a program to expedite visa interview processes for ticket holders but did not dismiss the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at World Cup venues targeting undocumented residents. He emphasized that authorities aim to ensure all visitors enter the US legally to safeguard its citizens.
Such a stance raises concerns for civil liberties advocates, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) stating that the draw will occur “against a backdrop of violent detentions of immigrants, National Guard deployments in US cities, and the regrettable cancellation of Fifa’s own anti-racism and anti-discrimination campaigns.” They, along with other organizations, argued that the World Cup risks being “weaponized for authoritarian aims.”
“There is still time to uphold Fifa’s promise for a World Cup that is free from human rights violations, but the clock is ticking,” HRW warned.
After praising Infantino as “one of the greatest figures in sports” during a meeting at the Oval Office last month, Trump hinted at possibly relocating matches from cities led by Democrats should safety and security concerns arise.
While it’s unclear whether Trump would—or even could—execute such a plan, which would involve significant logistical and legal complications, his remarks add to the uncertainty surrounding the tournament.
Additionally, Trump suggested military action against Mexico as a means to prevent drug trafficking into the US, further complicating bilateral relations with Mexico and Canada in the context of security for upcoming events.
Infantino might argue that maintaining a close relationship with Trump is especially vital given the unpredictability of his public statements.
Conversely, some may contend that this closeness could hinder Infantino’s capacity to challenge the US president.
Reputation, Elections, and Revenue
For Trump, the World Cup serves as a focal point during his second presidency, providing an excellent platform to enhance his image globally, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.
Describing the event as an “immensely significant economic opportunity” for the US, Trump is optimistic it will present a welcome tourism influx following a challenging year for the industry, with Fifa estimating a £22bn contribution to the economy and almost 200,000 new jobs created. The tournament also serves as a trial run for the US’s ability to host large-scale events, ahead of Los Angeles hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2028.
For Infantino, the World Cup represents an unprecedented financial opportunity, allowing him to fulfill his promise of expanding the sport in the US while boosting Fifa’s commercial revenues and increasing funding to national football associations—a move that could also benefit his chances of re-election in 2027.
A deregulated U.S. market has enabled Fifa to implement an official ticket resale platform for the tournament, earning a remarkable 30% commission on every transaction.
Fan representatives criticized this move, arguing it risks exploiting supporters through a pricing structure contrary to the spirit of the World Cup. Nevertheless, it clarifies why Fifa anticipates generating a record £10bn in its 2023-2026 cycle.
The true depth of the bond between Trump and Infantino may soon face challenges. However, both individuals clearly perceive their alliance as advantageous.