From Nobel to FIFA.. Trump receives a new award and Infantino faces political pressure

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups:

U.S. President Donald Trump received the newly established FIFA Peace Award on Friday during the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, a move that sparked widespread controversy within the International Federation of Association Football and raised questions about the political future of FIFA President Gianni Infantino within the organization. According to the American newspaper Politico, Infantino met with Trump seven times this year, achieving more presence with the American president than any other world leader, which angered a number of officials within FIFA, who considered the intimate relationship between the two sides exceeded the limits of political neutrality that the president of the federation must possess. The newspaper pointed out that Infantino launched the award specifically for Trump without consulting the FIFA Council, which consists of 37 members, which led to objections from FIFA vice presidents and other officials. Sources from the newspaper described the decision as a violation of the principles of neutrality and puts politics above the interest of the game. Recent events have also shown internal and regional tensions, as Victor Montagliani, FIFA Vice President and President of the CONCACAF, criticized Infantino's position on Trump's threats to move World Cup matches from some American cities, stressing that "football is bigger than any political leader." The European Football Association (UEFA) responded angrily to the postponement of the annual FIFA conference to accommodate Infantino's schedule, while a number of vice presidents withdrew in protest against what they considered politicization of the organization. It seems that this step has begun to cost Infantino the support of Europe, his most prominent electoral base, while he is increasingly relying on Asia, Africa, and the Gulf, with the upcoming elections in 2027, where his political adventures with Trump will be a real test before 211 member associations.