FIFA president Gianni Infantino faces criticism over ties with Trump as World Cup begins

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.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter weighed in during February 2026. He described Infantino’s approach to Trump as “submissive” and went further, labeling FIFA under Infantino’s leadership a “dictatorship.”

By April 2026, the criticism had spread within FIFA’s own federation structure. Norwegian Football Association president Lise Klaveness publicly supported the ethics complaints against Infantino and called for the complete abolition of the Peace Prize.

What Infantino says in his defense

Infantino has not been shy about defending the relationship. His argument is fundamentally pragmatic: the US is hosting the World Cup, and maintaining strong ties with the sitting president is essential for pulling off a successful tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is estimated to generate nearly $50 billion in economic investment and create around 300,000 jobs in the US economy.

What this means for FIFA’s future, and its blockchain ambitions

Infantino faces a potential re-election in 2027, and the ethics complaints now on file could complicate that campaign significantly. Federation leaders openly criticizing the president creates fractures that opponents can exploit when the vote arrives.

Infantino has also engaged in discussions around blockchain initiatives, including conversations about a potential FIFA Coin. No official token has been launched, and there’s no concrete timeline for one.

For crypto investors and traders, the direct market impact of Infantino’s Trump controversy is essentially zero right now. Digital asset markets remain insulated from FIFA’s internal politics. Should FIFA move forward with blockchain products, the organization’s governance reputation will directly influence market confidence in those offerings.

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