World Cup: A New Geopolitical Arena

Where is world football headed amid the contradictory dynamics of strict immigration policies expelling millions on one hand, and welcoming other countries through World Cup hosting on the other — in the dealings between former U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino? The summary of recent events focuses on the FIFA Club World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain to claim the title.

President Trump established separate task forces at the White House to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The U.S. government deployed security agents even at sporting venues to ensure safety and enforce new immigration rules.

New Jersey, May 28, Kathmandu. The FIFA Club World Cup final took place in July 2025 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Chelsea triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to claim the trophy. Yet, the scenes inside and outside the stadium showed this was not simply a football celebration.

On the high stage constructed on the pitch, Chelsea captain Reece James stood ready to lift the trophy, surrounded by teammates. After the trophy handover alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, U.S. President Donald Trump lingered on the stage while Infantino discreetly exited, creating a brief moment of confusion during the ceremony. Chelsea players exchanged glances, uncertain about Trump’s unexpected presence as they waited for him to descend.

Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez eventually signaled to James to raise the trophy, after which the team erupted around their captain, with Trump also standing among them — almost as if one of the team. The tournament’s best player, Cole Palmer, later commented, “I knew he was coming, but we didn’t expect him to stay on the stage until the trophy was raised. It threw me off a bit.”

The scene was further complicated by video footage showing Infantino handing Trump a medal, which Trump promptly pocketed. Even the trophy Chelsea lifted was a replica — Trump reportedly plans to place the real trophy in the Oval Office. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, both known advocates of stringent immigration enforcement, were also present with the president. The ceremony resembled a MAGA-style spectacle.

Understanding the close Trump-FIFA connection requires looking back a decade. In May 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice exposed the largest corruption scandal in world football history. Swiss police raided the FIFA Congress in Zurich, arresting seven senior officials. FBI and IRS agents simultaneously searched the CONCACAF headquarters in Miami. Fourteen individuals faced charges of fraud, money laundering, and bribery, centered around the distribution of World Cup hosting and media rights, involving over $200 million in bribes.

This investigation painted FIFA as operating like a criminal organization. The decisions to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively underwent intense scrutiny, revealing vote-buying and financial inducements. As a result, longtime FIFA President Sepp Blatter resigned in disgrace. In February 2016, Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president on a reform and transparency platform, defeating Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of the Asian Football Confederation. He promised to serve all and end FIFA’s crisis era.

Nine months later, in November 2016, Donald Trump was elected U.S. president. While the FBI investigation portrayed FIFA as an international crime example, the Trump administration took a different approach — instead of isolating FIFA, it opted to collaborate with its leadership, focusing on securing the right to host the 2026 World Cup.

Yet, a major hurdle was Trump’s executive order 13769 — the so-called “Muslim ban” of January 2017, which restricted travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. This policy faced widespread criticism and was seen by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and Infantino as jeopardizing the 2026 U.S. World Cup bid, since participating teams and players needed entry assurances.

The Trump administration responded by issuing letters to FIFA assuring that all eligible players, officials, and fans would be permitted entry without discrimination. It replaced the original ban with a softer, politically correct version, which Trump called “a slightly looser and politically correct version” of the initial order.

On April 10, 2017, the United States, Canada, and Mexico jointly announced their bid to host the 2026 World Cup. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, played a pivotal role behind the scenes, lobbying Middle Eastern leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Bahrain’s rulers to support the bid over Morocco’s. Kushner also repeatedly invited U.S. Soccer officials to the White House to strategize.

At the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow on June 13, 2018, the North American joint bid won by a landslide with 134 votes against Morocco’s 65. Kushner further helped finalize arrangements by coordinating among FIFA President Infantino, local politicians, and New York business figures to promote MetLife Stadium as the 2026 final’s venue.

Prior to boarding Marine One in September 2019, Trump told reporters, “We have to extend my second term a little longer because I need it for two more years for 2026. I hope you will remember me in 2026.”

On January 20, 2025, Trump returned to the presidency. On his first day, he signed multiple executive orders from a temporary desk at Washington’s Capital One Arena — home to the Wizards and Capitals — to a cheering crowd of about 20,000 supporters. Sports were poised to play a significant role during his second term.

In just 10 months, he had attended ten major sports events including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, NCAA wrestling championship, UFC fights, and international football finals. He also signed five sports-related executive orders — reviving Cold War-era “Presidential Physical Fitness Tests” and establishing dedicated White House task forces for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Trump himself chaired the inaugural meeting of the newly formed 2026 World Cup Task Force in May 2025, which included Vice President J.D. Vance and most cabinet members, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump declared the upcoming World Cup would be “the biggest, safest, and most exceptional football competition” in history. Vice President Vance affirmed controlled borders for visiting tourists: “We want them to come, celebrate, watch the games — but they must return home after.” This reflected the administration’s core immigration policy.

Under Noem’s leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids nationwide, including cities, religious sites, and parking lots. By April 2025, the administration claimed to have deported 140,000 people and in August stated 1.6 million illegal immigrants had left the country voluntarily. These tough immigration policies even extended into football stadiums during the Club World Cup, where ICE agents maintained a presence. Their spokesperson told The Miami Herald, “ICE will work with the Department of Homeland Security and Justice to ensure security at major events connected to national security.”

In some cases, authorities used the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts to deport suspects without due process, sending hundreds to high-security prisons in El Salvador.

In March 2025, Infantino told Trump, “America will welcome the world. Millions will come, and we will bring happiness and joy globally. Every person coming to America must feel safe and welcomed.”

Trump’s World Cup agenda has reshaped U.S. foreign policy. Analysts suggest, “Renaming the State Department the ‘Sports Department’ would not be far off.” Classified government documents and official interviews show how the State Department prioritizes the World Cup as a diplomatic opportunity. These include the “Sports Diplomacy Playbook,” which outlines how to leverage events like the World Cup and Olympics to boost America’s soft power and foreign investments while advancing some of Trump’s social policies.

In December, State Department staff received the 9-page playbook detailing how to maximize the so-called “Decade of Sports,” covering 2026 and later Olympics through 2034. Many U.S. embassies and diplomatic offices worldwide are hiring staff to facilitate visa processing for visiting fans. A new “FIFA Pass” visa system is under development, prioritizing interview scheduling for ticket holders.

The State Department faces two major challenges. Former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Gerald Feierstein, explained: “They face two types of spectators — foreign guests they eagerly welcome and anti-immigration Trump supporters. The department must balance these opposing pressures.”

The relationship between Trump and Infantino extends beyond personal friendship to a political alliance. Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration, met him in the Oval Office, and accompanied him on Middle East trips.

The “Play the Game” report analyzed their bond, portraying Infantino as an ambitious, shrewd political figure who partnered with Kremlin for the 2018 World Cup, Qatar for 2022, and later with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman. Supported by Saudi funding, Infantino has advanced large projects such as the expanded Club World Cup.

Their relationship is transactional — Infantino needs Trump’s blessing to secure FIFA’s presence in the U.S., while Trump gains a global festival to promote America’s triumph. The 2026 World Cup offers Trump a stage to claim credit for bringing the world to America and to showcase “American greatness” distinct from faltering Europe and unstable Latin America.

Following protests by NFL players, Trump had been viewed negatively by many athletes. The World Cup provides a counter-narrative: foreign players and fans will come to America voluntarily, compelled to appreciate its grandeur.

The plan also seeks to solidify American leadership in global sports governing bodies, aiming to block rival nations like China and Russia from gaining influence. Last September, foreign media reported the Trump administration prepared diplomatic moves to counter European efforts to exclude Israel from international competition. A State Department official told Sky News that any attempt to ban Israel’s national football team from the World Cup would be opposed by the U.S.

These developments have caused dissatisfaction within the global football community. FIFPro, the world players’ union, issued a strong statement after the 2025 Club World Cup, demanding “responsible leadership, not rulers.” They criticized Infantino for excluding players’ welfare discussions from the organization’s purview, highlighting his authoritarian tendencies.

Due to Trump’s harsh policies and budget cuts, serious doubts remain about America’s capacity to successfully host the 2026 tournament. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the nation’s aviation system is ill-prepared for the influx of tourists expected for the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Their February 2025 report calls for improvements in security, air traffic control technology, and visa processing.

Meanwhile, Trump’s initiation of a trade conflict with co-hosting neighbors Canada and Mexico contradicts the spirit of the World Cup. Diplomatic tensions could hinder security coordination. The State Department encourages diplomats to leverage upcoming sports events to attract business investment and engage U.S. citizens abroad. It also promotes the use of marquee events like the Super Bowl to elevate the American brand.

In a letter sent to embassies worldwide in mid-November, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted Trump’s favorite sport, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), encouraging diplomats to draw inspiration from it to showcase America and its culture. The letter urged diplomats to “be creative.” Task force leader Rudy Giuliani remarked, “Many visitors have misconceptions about America, but we have a huge opportunity to show the true U.S.”