FIFA's Gianni Infantino has invested heavily in a relationship with President Trump, leasing an empty office in Trump Tower. The rent payments to Trump's family business represent a calculated investment in US market access during the World Cup. FIFA seeks to boost soccer's profile in America while distancing itself from past corruption scandals.

Infantino's courtship included lavish praise, trophies, and pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago. Unlike with the Biden administration, Trump calls him "the king of soccer." FIFA is now exploring Trump-style business ventures, including hotel licensing deals and a potential cryptocurrency, mirroring the Trump family's business model.

The relationship appears to yield some benefits, as Trump deferred to Infantino on Iranian player visas. However, FIFA officials privately question whether this personal diplomacy serves the sport or Infantino's ambitions. The World Cup will test whether the strategy translates into tangible market gains or remains merely symbolic.