FIFA President Gianni Infantino is pushing back against corruption allegations tied to his relationship with US President Donald Trump, specifically around what critics call political interference in World Cup match outcomes.
On July 1, 2026, US striker Folarin Balogun received a red card during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2026 World Cup. Between July 2 and July 5, Trump made at least three calls to Infantino regarding Balogun’s suspension. On July 5, FIFA lifted the suspension, clearing Balogun to play against Belgium.
Infantino has publicly described Trump as a “really close friend.” In December 2025, Infantino awarded Trump a FIFA Peace Prize. As early as November 2025, Infantino was publicly defending Trump at the America Business Forum.
European Parliament steps in
Fifty European Parliament members petitioned FIFA in late June 2026 to investigate Infantino over potential violations of political neutrality. FIFA’s own statutes require political neutrality. The organization has historically suspended member federations for government interference in their operations.
