Is Trump giving the FIFA World Cup a MAGA makeover?

8 snips

Dec 5, 2025

Henry Bushnell, Senior Soccer Writer at The Athletic, dives into the intriguing ties between Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They discuss how Trump's ambition for global spotlight intersects with the tournament's politics, including his controversial threats to shift games from Democratic cities. Bushnell also elaborates on the implications of the new FIFA Peace Prize and how Trump's showmanship shapes the event's narrative, reflecting on its burgeoning commercial landscape and the dynamics within American soccer fandom.

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INSIGHT

Praise And Pageantry Win Influence

Infantino publicly praised Trump at Davos and repeatedly lavished him with compliments and golden gifts.
Those gestures appear calculated to win Trump's favor and raise FIFA's access to US political power.

INSIGHT

Threat To Move Games Has Limits

Trump has threatened to move World Cup games away from Democrat-run cities he dislikes.
Logistical and contractual realities mean moving venues now would be technically difficult and politically fraught.

INSIGHT

Immigration Tensions Shadow The Cup

The World Cup creates immigration enforcement risks, with talk of ICE raids and scrutiny of expatriate crowds.
Large immigrant fan communities may feel less safe attending matches amid aggressive enforcement rhetoric.

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As the United States gets ready to host the Fifa World Cup 2026, Americast looks at what’s behind the close relationship between Donald Trump and the president of football’s world governing body, Gianna Infantino. Sarah and Anthony go back to 2018, in Trump’s first term, when America won its bid to host the 2026 World Cup. We look at how the relationship between Infantino and Trump has developed since then, and examine claims that the Fifa World Cup is being over politicised by both men.

The US president has threatened to move scheduled games away from Democrat cities, and the Fifa president has been criticised for creating a special peace prize that Donald Trump is widely expected to win.

What does the World Cup really mean for Donald Trump, and how will that impact on wider America, and the fans who watch the event?

Hosts Sarah Smith, North America editor and Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent are joined by guest Henry Bushnell, senior writer for the Athletic

Producer: George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve

Sound engineer: Mike Regaard

Editor: Sam Bonham

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