FIFA chief Infantino sparks backlash after appearing with Trump at Gaza summit

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s unexpected appearance alongside Donald Trump at the Gaza cease-fire summit in Egypt drew sharp criticism from sports and political observers alike. Invited personally by Trump, Infantino pledged to help rebuild sports infrastructure in Gaza — but many questioned why a sports official was present at a high-level political meeting.

Source The New York Times

Infantino has long maintained close ties with Trump, dating back to the U.S. securing co-hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup. He has attended Trump’s business events, opened a FIFA office in Trump Tower, and frequently appears at political gatherings. His behavior has raised ethical concerns among FIFA officials, who stress that the organization must remain strictly apolitical.

Human rights groups accused Infantino of “abandoning all pretense of neutrality,” arguing that his alignment with Trump and Netanyahu compromises FIFA’s independence. Infantino dismissed the criticism, saying strong relationships with global leaders are vital for promoting football — yet critics warn that his approach risks turning FIFA into a tool of geopolitical influence.