The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. And so is a political firestorm surrounding the man who runs world soccer.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is drawing sharp criticism for what opponents describe as an uncomfortably close relationship with US President Donald Trump. The backlash has intensified steadily over the past several months, culminating in formal ethics complaints and public rebukes from figures within FIFA’s own ranks.
The peace prize that started a war
The flashpoint came on December 6, 2025, when Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw event. Human rights organization FairSquare promptly filed an ethics complaint, arguing the award breached FIFA’s Article 15 Code of Ethics, which is designed to keep the governing body politically neutral. The complaint arrived alongside growing unease about Infantino’s pattern of proximity to Trump, including his participation in Trump’s Board of Peace and appearances at multiple Trump events.
At one such appearance, Infantino was spotted wearing a red USA baseball cap.
