A Spanish newspaper has launched a fierce attack on United States president Donald Trump, accusing him of damaging football by using FIFA and the 2026 World Cup for political and personal publicity.
In an editorial published on Sunday, AS said Trump had gained increasing influence over FIFA decision-making and had “gone beyond the minimum limits of morality”.
“Between him and football, the world chose the second option,” the newspaper wrote.
The article argued that the FIFA presidency inevitably carries political weight. It said people often remarked that Gianni Infantino looked like a prime minister when he appeared at tournaments or conferences.
“That is true,” AS said, pointing to the vast power of FIFA and the football industry. It credited Infantino with handling the political landscape effectively, citing his relationship with Vladimir Putin during the 2018 World Cup, the Emir of Qatar and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the 2022 and 2034 tournaments, and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.
Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
“Everything seemed to be working well with this strategy until he came up against the person who was supposed to host the 2026 edition: Donald Trump,” the newspaper said.
It suggested Trump’s growing influence might stem from his distance from football culture or from the fact that he had rarely been challenged.
“Perhaps because he belongs to a culture so far removed from football, or perhaps because nobody has ever stopped him, the American president gained increasing influence over decision-making until he went beyond the minimum limits of morality,” AS wrote.
The newspaper criticised Trump for appointing himself chairman of the 2026 World Cup task force, despite Canada and Mexico sharing hosting responsibilities with the United States.
It also accused him of turning the Oval Office and the White House into a television stage that conflicted with football’s neutrality.
Infantino and the World Cup, it said, appeared repeatedly alongside Trump “as if they were his latest toys”. Cristiano Ronaldo, whose entry into the United States had previously been uncertain because of legal problems, also visited the country shortly before the tournament began. AS said those doubts disappeared at that moment.
The newspaper claimed Infantino had gradually retreated in the face of Trump’s influence. At the Club World Cup final ceremony, Infantino invited Trump onto the stage and gave him the same prominence as the Chelsea players, who were unable to make room for photographs.
Fortunately, AS said, Rodri was able to take his picture before the World Cup trophy was lifted, in what the newspaper described as Spain’s second title.
Infantino later presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington, a move the newspaper said embarrassed football.
Trump also accepted breaks for drinking water which, according to the report, were in reality advertising intervals. He additionally took part in a show lasting nearly half an hour during half-time of the final.
The Balogun case was described as the final breaking point. The newspaper said a telephone call Trump admitted making to Infantino led to the player’s suspension being lifted in a “shameful” manner.
A further proposal to sell 20% of World Cup revenues to funds linked to Trump was described as another moment that pushed the issue beyond the limit.
“Public opinion and UEFA were waiting for Infantino’s response,” AS wrote. “This confrontation was inevitable. It was inevitable that the world would choose football.”
