Trump definitely has the upper hand in the largely symbiotic relationship. There will therefore probably not be any major differences of opinion between FIFA and the United States regarding preparation for the World Cup. “I don’t think there will be a showdown because the USA has all the power in this relationship,” said Christopher Gaffney, who researches major sporting events at the University of New York, to the “Sportschau” in March.
Infantino is obviously aware of this fact. “For the success of a World Cup, it is absolutely crucial to have a close relationship with the president,” he said in February, knowing full well then that Trump’s favor would be a sacred asset for him and his FIFA until the summer of 2026 at the latest. The world association wants to achieve record revenues with the tournament, in which 48 teams are taking part for the first time. A disgruntled Trump could torpedo this plan.
That also describes the relationship between the 79-year-old New Yorker and Infantino well. The FIFA boss likes to surround himself with those who have the most power – and, when in doubt, defers to them. It is proven that no one likes this better than the current US President.