ATLANTA (AP) — The ongoing relationship between Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has recently come under scrutiny due to a controversial decision surrounding the World Cup. Trump's involvement in the lifting of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension has ignited debate over the integrity of the tournament, with backlash coming particularly from Belgium, the U.S. team’s opponent in the round of 16 match. UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, has accused FIFA of crossing a "red line."

This contentious decision is tied to Infantino's efforts to foster a strong relationship with Trump, especially since the United States was awarded the co-hosting duties for the 2026 World Cup during Trump’s initial term. The collaboration between the two has grown significantly over the years, beginning with a White House visit back in 2018, during which Infantino presented Trump with red and yellow cards, humorously suggesting they could be used on the press.

In a statement addressing the fallout from the Balogun suspension, Infantino revealed that he had been in regular communication with Trump regarding World Cup matters. Trump's keen interest in soccer blossomed after the U.S. secured hosting rights, and his personal relationship with Infantino deepened over time, including a dinner together at the 2020 World Economic Summit in Davos, where Infantino referred to Trump as "my great friend."

Interestingly, Infantino's connections with President Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in 2020, have not been as pronounced. Their interactions have been limited to brief meetings, including one at the Group of 20 summit in 2022. Conversely, Infantino publicly congratulated Trump after he won the 2024 presidential election and visited Mar-a-Lago during the presidential transition. Furthermore, Infantino attended Trump's inauguration, citing their "great friendship."

Infantino was also present at Trump's Board of Peace meeting in Washington earlier this year, where discussions focused on a $7 billion Gaza relief package. In this context, Fair Square, a human rights advocacy organization, filed a complaint with FIFA's ethics committee, accusing Infantino of violating the organization's code of political neutrality through his public support of Trump’s policies.

One notable achievement stemming from their close relationship is FIFA's inaugural peace prize, awarded to Trump shortly after he publicly expressed disappointment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Infantino lauded Trump for his "unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world." During the World Cup draw in December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with a golden trophy, declaring it a significant honor.

In addition to international accolades, Trump has also received other sporting trophies, including a Tiffany-crafted gold-plated trophy that was displayed in the Oval Office before being permanently retained there, and a gold replica of the World Cup trophy with an accompanying message from Infantino that it was "for winners only."

The mutual respect between Trump and Infantino is increasingly evident, with Trump labeling Infantino as "probably the most respected man in sports." Their collaborative efforts have included planning the World Cup draw, which took place later in 2025 and was initially rumored to be hosted in Las Vegas, before being changed to Washington. Infantino's previous connections with host nations include receiving the Russian Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin after the 2018 World Cup and relocating to Qatar prior to the 2022 World Cup. While other dignitaries, like Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, attended the draw, Trump was given special recognition and the FIFA peace prize.

On the recent Balogun suspension, Trump acknowledged that he had indeed called Infantino to discuss the matter, ultimately stating, "I didn’t tell him what to do. I can’t tell him what to do." Infantino, for his part, emphasized that FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and autonomous, which is critical to maintaining the credibility and integrity of football.

As of now, Trump has not yet attended a World Cup match, although Infantino has been seen at games alongside members of Trump's administration. Trump plans to join Infantino at the World Cup final and award the trophy to the winning team, as mentioned in a recent interview on "Fox and Friends."