The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has made a specialty of courting the planet's most influential power brokers, including a close friendship with former US President Donald Trump.
Infantino, 56, has been a key player in organizing the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico City on Thursday, and has relied on Trump's support to make the tournament a success.
The two men have a long history of collaboration, dating back to 2016 when Infantino was elected as the president of FIFA.
Infantino has attended numerous events with Trump, including a UFC fight, the unveiling of his Board of Peace, and regular meetings in the Oval Office.
Their friendship has been instrumental in helping Infantino navigate the complexities of organizing a World Cup in the US, which has been a challenging task due to shifting policy, U.S. travel bans, and ongoing wars with countries participating in the tournament.
Despite criticism from European leaders, Infantino's relationship with Trump has earned him praise from US officials, who see it as a smart move to ensure the success of the World Cup.
The tournament, which features 48 teams, including four under a full or partial travel ban, is expected to be a major success, with Infantino predicting that it will be a "conquest" of the US by soccer.
