If Trump’s Around, FIFA Prez Infantino Likely Won’t Be Too Far Behind

Now, here’s an interesting idea.

This writer doesn’t promote betting, but it might be a good idea if Vegas or betting services put up the odds of when and where Gianni Infantino might pop up with President Trump.

They might make millions from it.

Why?

Because it seems every time we turn around, Infantino is hanging around with the U.S. president.

Strange, very, strange.

Yes, the United States is a co-host of the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.

And yes, the World Cup is FIFA’s baby, and if you want to get technical, it is Infantino’s baby as well.

He wants to see it as successful as possible because there are billions and billions of dollars at stake for the world’s governing body.

On Monday, Infantino showed up at the Gaza peace talks summit in Sharm El Sheikhm Egypt, while Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t.

Interestingly, Trump invited Infantino to the signing, according to the FIFA president.

Peace summit in Gaza

Infantino stood alongside President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for photos to mark the ceasefire deal in Gaza.

According to Bloomberg News, a White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that it made sense for Infantino to attend the event because FIFA deals with countries in the Mideast.

Then again, FIFA deals with just about every country in the world that wants to play soccer at the highest levels.

Infantino said that FIFA would help to restore soccer in the city of Gaza and other Palestinian territories. That would include rebuilding facilities destroyed during Israel’s military operation in Gaza the past two years.

“Today was an historic day for peace in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – shaped by the leadership of the President of the United States Donald J. Trump and the unified stance of world leaders, it is a new dawn for the whole region and the entire world,” Infantino said on his LinkedIn page.

“Football’s role is to support, to unite and to give hope in the region. In Gaza and in Palestine, we will help to rebuild all the football facilities. We will help to bring football back – together with the Palestinian Football Association – in every corner of the country.

“We will bring footballs, we will build pitches, we will bring instructors, we will help organize competitions and we will launch a fund to help rebuild football infrastructure in Palestine.

“FIFA has contributed with mini-pitches, with the FIFA Arena program, and we want the whole world to contribute, because football brings hope to children – it’s very, very important. 🤝

“I thank the President of the United States for inviting me to this Summit for Peace and I made it clear to all world leaders that FIFA is here to help, to assist and to put ourselves at disposal for whatever we can do to make sure that this peace process comes to fruition and to the best possible end.”

Following the leaders

Out of the nine FIFA presidents, Infantino might have set some sort of a record with a leader of a country.

Since December 2024, he has visited the White House at least 10 times. We have lost count.

Infantino also gave President Trump replicas of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the World Cup trophies in the Oval Office.

He also set up a FIFA office in Trump Tower in New York City.

Trump also attended the Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, N.J., handing out winners’ medals and the trophy after Chelsea captured the time over Paris St-Germain. Trump also ended up in the middle of the Premier League side’s celebrations at midfield.

On Aug. 22, FIFA announced it would host the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5. Trump took control of the venue’s board earlier this year. As FIFA president, Infantino is expected to play a prominent role in the proceedings.

Trump is expected to attend the draw, which will sort the 12 groups and schedule for the competition, which runs from June 11 to July 19.

Where and when they show up together before that is anyone’s guess.

Just wondering what the betting line is.

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A World Cup threat to Boston

In unrelated matter, Trump threatened to relocate World Cup matches that are scheduled to be played in suburban Foxborough, Mass., after suggesting that parts of Boston had been “taken over” by unrest. Foxborough is 30 miles south of Boston. Foxborough Stadium, home to the NFL New England Patriots, is scheduled to host seven games.

Trump said that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was “radical left,” according to the Associated Press.

“We could take them away,” Trump said of the World Cup games. “I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.”

Trump also claimed that “they’re taking over parts of Boston,” although he did not mention any details.

The Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops to Washington and Memphis. Efforts to do the same in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have started legal fights.

As I wrote in a piece on Forbes.com in September, the leader of any country has no power to move World Cup games. That is left up to FIFA, which awarded the 2026 competition to co-hosts Mexico, Canada and the USA.

Trump also has stated that he could declare cities “not safe” for the 104-game tournament. It includes games at NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Any change would be a boondoggle and a logistical headache for FIFA and soccer fans in so many ways, especially with only eight months to go before its kickoff.

Don’t take my word for it. Listen to FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Victor Montagliani.

“It’s FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions,” he said earlier this month at a sports business conference in London.

One thing is likely:

Don’t be surprised if Trump makes more threats to move World Cup games out of other host cities in the coming weeks and months.