Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and Donald Trump, president of the US, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, on March 7, 2025. JIM WATSON / AFP
He was seen bursting into laughter when Donald Trump announced his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The only prominent sports executive present at the US president’s inauguration speech on January 20, Gianni Infantino also showered Trump with praise during the ceremony, describing, for example, the “incredible honor and privilege” of being invited to Washington. The FIFA head is sparing no effort to win the favor of the occupant of the White House, who is reciprocating.
For several months, the two men have been publicly displaying their cordial relationship and exchanging lavish compliments. When the Italian-Swiss official praised Trump as a leader the world needs, Trump returned the favor, describing his “special friend” as “a winner” and “an excellent guy.”
As a symbol of their good rapport, the head of FIFA and the US president plan to sit side by side at the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Sunday, July 13, at the MetLife Stadium near New York City. Together, they would present the winner’s trophy for this competition, held across 11 American cities. Five days earlier, Infantino announced the opening of a FIFA office in Trump Tower, New York, alongside Eric Trump, the US president’s second son.
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