Scandal: FIFA President Summoned to Congress Over Ties to Donald Trump
The aftermath of the World Cup held this summer in the USA, Mexico, and Canada has sparked a political controversy. Representative Jamie Raskin, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, has demanded that FIFA President Gianni Infantino testify regarding his relationship with the US President.
The shockwaves from the World Cup held this summer in the USA, Mexico, and Canada refuse to subside. Leading Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has sent a sharp letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In the document, Raskin demands that Infantino appear before the Judiciary Committee for a recorded interview to examine in depth whether the close and unusual relationship he maintained with US President Donald Trump crossed ethical lines and affected the integrity of the sport.
Public and political criticism surrounding the connection between the two escalated in the years leading up to the tournament. Infantino is accused of actively courting the American president, from including FIFA office space in Trump Tower in New York to a unique "peace prize" grant created specifically for him, and moving the tournament draw from Las Vegas to the Kennedy Center in Washington — a venue under the control of Trump and his associates. The White House dismissed the accusations, calling Raskin a "stupid person" and emphasizing that this was the most successful and profitable tournament in history.
The peak of the controversy occurred during the tournament matches themselves, strengthening Congressional suspicions regarding direct political interference in the results. After American striker Folarin Balogun was suspended from a critical knockout stage match, Trump initiated a direct phone call to Infantino and asked him to reconsider the punishment.
Shortly thereafter, FIFA reversed the decision and allowed Balogun to take the field. Although FIFA continues to insist that the decision was made professionally and independently, the case sparked international outrage and became the focus of the current investigation.
Congress is now increasing the pressure, setting a firm deadline for FIFA of August 9, 2026, to transfer all relevant documentation. Raskin demands a detailed list of all money, gifts, or benefits transferred to Trump, his family, or his business organization, along with entry logs for FIFA offices in Miami and New York.
