In a Guardian comment piece, writer Nathán Goldberg Crenier argues that Fifa president Gianni Infantino has damaged football's reputation by courting Donald Trump in the run-up to and during the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting. The author contends that Infantino sought preferential treatment from the American government but instead entangled Fifa in Trump's divisive politics, undermining the sport's credibility on its biggest stage.

The piece cites several examples: Infantino's personal relationship with Trump allegedly influencing the handling of USMNT striker Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, and Infantino's creation of a "peace prize" awarded to Trump last year, shortly before the US president pursued regime change in Venezuela, threatened Nato allies, and launched a war with Iran—events that also forced Iran's team to relocate its World Cup base camp to Mexico. The author also references frequent White House appearances, disruption at Chelsea's Club World Cup win and last year's Fifa Congress, and an ethics complaint filed against Infantino by the group FairSquare.