US, Mar 11 : The escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran is testing FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s close relationship with former President Donald Trump, less than three months before the upcoming World Cup, analysts say. While shared economic interests suggest the alliance may survive, the geopolitical tensions have introduced new complexities for football’s chief.
Friendship Built on Public Displays and Pragmatism
Infantino and Trump have maintained a highly visible friendship since their elections in 2016. Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 further strengthened their ties as the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico approached.
Infantino has regularly attended the White House and accompanied Trump on official visits to countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In a symbolic move, FIFA created its own Peace Prize, which Infantino presented to Trump during the World Cup draw in Washington in December.
Analyst Raphael Le Magoariec said, “What matters to Infantino is his own geopolitics, guided by economic benefit. Anything that runs counter to human rights or international law does not violate his strategy.”
Balancing Geopolitics and Commercial Stakes
The 2026 tournament, expanded to 48 teams, is expected to be the most lucrative in FIFA history, with projected revenue of $11 billion (9.5bn euros). Experts say Infantino’s alignment with Trump is pragmatic, aimed at ensuring the World Cup’s commercial success rather than taking a political gamble.
However, the conflict’s spillover to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, key players in global sport and upcoming World Cup hosts, has forced Infantino to navigate carefully. Le Magoariec noted that the war threatens long-term regional projects developed by these Arab nations, placing Infantino in a delicate position.
Iran’s Limited Role in Global Sport
From a sports and commercial perspective, analysts suggest Iran holds minimal influence on FIFA’s operations. Simon Chadwick of EM Lyon Business School said, “Eliminating Iran would have little economic or political importance, but it offers Trump a platform to project his image.”
For FIFA, maintaining its ties with Trump appears to outweigh concerns about the conflict, highlighting Infantino’s prioritization of World Cup success and economic interests over geopolitical tensions.