US Congress Demands FIFA Records Over Gianni Infantino’s Ties to Donald Trump
A leading US lawmaker has launched an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino, demanding extensive documentation regarding the global soccer governing body’s relationship with Donald Trump, his family businesses, and his administration. Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, sent a formal letter to Infantino on Sunday calling for the disclosure of communications and financial records. The congressional inquiry seeks to uncover whether FIFA provided improper benefits, gifts, or payments to Trump and his associates, marking a significant escalation of scrutiny on the international sports organization as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
The probe focuses heavily on financial transactions and communication channels between the two entities, including details surrounding FIFA’s decision last year to lease high-priced office space in Trump Tower in New York City. Raskin’s letter requested that Infantino provide comprehensive visitor logs for the Trump Tower offices, along with any records of correspondence related to real estate transactions, promotional events, or diplomatic engagements involving Trump’s businesses. Additionally, the committee has requested that Infantino sit for a transcribed interview to clarify these relationships under oath.
This investigation comes at a sensitive time for FIFA as it attempts to maintain a politically neutral image while navigating the massive commercial preparations for the upcoming 2026 tournament, which was awarded to the joint North American bid during Trump's presidency in 2018. Under Infantino's leadership, FIFA has frequently engaged with global political figures to secure tax exemptions, security guarantees, and visa fast-tracks. However, critics argue that the organization's close alignment with Trump’s private commercial interests, particularly through the Trump Tower lease, raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and foreign influence.
Historically, FIFA has maintained a complicated relationship with US authorities, having worked closely with the US Department of Justice following the sweeping 2015 corruption scandal that led to the arrests of numerous high-ranking soccer officials. In his letter, Raskin emphasized that transparency is vital to ensuring that international sports bodies do not become conduits for improper political influence. FIFA has yet to issue a formal public response to the congressional demands, and it remains unclear how the Swiss-based governing body will balance its international legal protections with the pressure of a US congressional inquiry.