The president of Fifa appeared in front of journalists from around the world on Wednesday at a press conference, on the eve of the start of the World Cup.
“Without the commitment and involvement” of Donald Trump, he would have been “impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States”said Gianni Infantino on Wednesday in Mexico, on the eve of the start of the tournament co-organized with Mexico and Canada.
The American president, continued the boss of Fifa, “Immediately understood the magnitude of the World Cup and its impact”. Gianni Infantino, who spoke at a press conference at the Aztec stadium where Mexico and South Africa will face each other on Thursday at the opening of the 2026 World Cup, recalled maintaining “excellent relations” with the American president.
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“I got to know him during his first mandate and we now work closely together.”said the Italian-Swiss leader, who awarded him a FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025, invented for the occasion.
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“We are talking about the greatest power in the world”
“We are talking here about the greatest power in the world, so of course, there are certain things to take into account (…) but being able to discuss important subjects with a president, with the administration, putting everything on the table, without asking for anything but trying to explain, I think that is probably the key to a positive relationship. That’s how I see it.”he further explained.
Gianni Infantino, who has appeared several times alongside Donald Trump, notably during his inauguration in January 2025 and at the White House, has often praised his domestic policy. The American president, who has said he intends to attend some World Cup matches, will however not be present during the very first match played on the territory of the United States, Friday in Los Angeles between the United States and Paraguay. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take his place next to Gianni Infantino in the tribune of honor.
