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The influence of Donald Trump casts a significant shadow over the 2026 World Cup. The decision to allow the tournament to be co-hosted in the United States while it is engaged in a conflict initiated under Trump’s leadership marks a controversial chapter in football’s history, and the President appears set to place himself at the centre of the event.

The World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during June and July, will unfold under a heavy political atmosphere. Iran are slated to play their opening group match against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Monday, June 15—just over two months after Trump’s threat to obliterate the nation overnight.

Despite the geopolitical tensions, Gianni Infantino and FIFA seem determined to proceed as usual, even after drawing unnecessary attention by creating the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to the President in December.

Talking of trophies, there is one reportedly sitting in the White House that arguably shouldn’t be there. Chelsea claimed Infantino’s Club World Cup last summer, yet the iconic trophy, described as a gyroscopic bus steering wheel by some, is not currently in London.

According to Trump, Chelsea possess a replica. How that is possible when the new trophy has only been awarded once remains unclear, but it is said that the genuine Club World Cup trophy resides in the Oval Office.

Trump made headlines for overstepping boundaries when Chelsea received the trophy last July, appearing on the podium alongside Reece James and the Blues squad. His presence raised concerns that he might similarly overshadow the actual world champions at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Although reports suggest that officials within FIFA are growing uneasy about the organisation’s overt admiration for Trump, Infantino continues to operate seemingly unaffected by such criticism.

One outcome of Infantino’s controversial association with Trump is that the President—known for his golfing prowess—will reportedly take part in presenting the World Cup trophy following the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19.

“This trophy will be handed out on the 19th of July to the captain of the team that wins the World Cup,” Infantino stated during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. “I will present it alongside the President of the United States, representing the host country. No one else can touch this trophy.

“I chose to become FIFA president to finally have the privilege and honour of holding this magical trophy. It truly is the most iconic prize in the world of sports—it’s pure magic.”

Trump, in turn, has described Infantino as “the sort of king of soccer, I guess, in a certain way.”

History will inevitably evaluate the 2026 World Cup within its broader social and political context, and Trump’s involvement will be well documented. Infantino might not desire to distance himself from that image now, but if he ever does, it will be impossible to erase.

The fact that FIFA’s name—and by extension, global football—is being carried along with Trump’s political narrative raises serious questions about the sport’s relationship with its governing body and its leadership.