FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in attendance for Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington D.C. on Monday.
Infantino, 54, joined technology billionaires, cabinet nominees and former leaders as Trump was sworn in for a second term as U.S. president following his election victory over Kamala Harris in November.
Trump, 78, had previously mentioned Infantino and the 2026 World Cup, which is to be jointly held in the country along with Mexico and Canada, during his speech at a pre-inauguration rally in the nation’s capital on Sunday.
“What an incredible honour, (and) what an incredible privilege at the victory rally. (US) President Donald J. Trump, in his speech, mentioned FIFA, mentioned myself, thanking us, looking forward to the events we are organising here, of course, the (FIFA) World Cup mostly,” said Infantino, who succeeded Sepp Blatter as president of world football’s governing body in 2016.
“Well, this is FIFA at the maximum of its’ respect; being mentioned by the new President of the United States of America in his victory rally, in his victory speech, is unique (and) is beautiful.
“I would like to thank President Trump, with whom I have a great friendship, and to assure him that, together, we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world, of course, because football — or soccer — unites the world.”
On Friday, Trump hosted Infantino at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where the pair discussed the upcoming Club World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. later this year.
The inaugural edition of the 32-team tournament, which begins on June 14 and concludes on July 13, will take place at 12 different stadiums across 11 cities.
In December, Trump recorded a video message for the Club World Cup draw in Miami in which he called Infantino “a winner”.
“We’ve known each other a long time, and I’m so honoured to have this kind of a relationship because soccer is going through the roof,” said Trump. “As everybody knows, it’s been doing fantastically well.”
