Julius OkorieFIFA President Gianni Infantino is full of gratitude for US President Donald Trump for special recognition during his inauguration on Monday, as well as his support for the 2026 World cup to be hosted by US, Canada and Mexico.
The recognition according to Infantino who was both at the pre-inauguration rally and the inauguration said the recognition was “unique (and) beautiful” for FIFA and was a demonstration of the great respect football’s governing body enjoys around the world.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPresident Trump had welcomed the FIFA President to his residence in Florida on Friday, 17 January 2025, where they discussed the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, to be entirely hosted by the United States, and the FIFA World Cup 26™, which the country will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
During the pre-inauguration rally, Trump said he was looking forward to the FIFA World Cup 26™ and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States, which will both take place during his presidency.
“So I am going to be your President for the Olympics and for the (FIFA) World Cup. So Gianni, thank you for the (2026 FIFA) World Cup, and everybody, thank you for the (2028) Olympics, we are going to have a great time,” Mr Trump said.
An elated Infantino added “Well, this is FIFA at the maximum of its’ respect; being mentioned by the new President of the United States of America in his victory rally, in his victory speech, is unique (and) is beautiful. I would like to thank President Trump, with whom I have a great friendship, and to assure him that, together, we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world, of course, because football – or soccer – unites the world.”
President Trump and the FIFA boss have maintained good relationship over the years. Recall that Infantino was invited to the White House where the two met during Trump’s first presidency in August 2018 and was also invited to make the introduction speech at a dinner hosted by Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2020.
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More recently, Trump delivered a pre-recorded video message at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ draw, held in Miami, United States, on Thursday 5 December 2024.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place across 12 stadiums in 11 Host Cities and will feature the world’s best 32 club teams in the most inclusive global club competition ever played, ushering in a new era for club football.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 on the other hand will feature 48 teams and will be played in 16 cities across the three host countries and is expected to see more than five million fans attending matches, with six billion more worldwide engaging with the tournament.
Trump who was 45th President of the United States, was on Monday sworn in as the 47th President to begin another four year term after emerging victorious at the US Presidential elections held on November 5, 2024.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
