Washington – A letter from Representative Jamie Raskin has set the stage for a potential hearing that could force FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to answer questions about his organization’s entanglement with the Trump administration.
Infantino’s outreach to former President Donald Trump includes a recently created FIFA Peace Prize, a lease of office space inside Trump Tower, and a decision to relocate the World Cup draw from Las Vegas to Washington, D.C., moves that have drawn sharp scrutiny.
Raskin, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, is demanding comprehensive records of any communications between Infantino and Trump, including visitor logs, correspondence and a direct interview, while also probing the Justice Department’s recent decision to drop corruption indictments linked to international soccer.
The lawmaker’s inquiry extends to FIFA’s ticketing practices for the upcoming tournament, where variable pricing and the introduction of a premium front‑row tier have sparked complaints from fans and raised questions about fairness.
European and Nordic Reactions
More than 70 legislators across Europe have called for a formal investigation into both Infantino and FIFA, citing concerns over political neutrality and the potential misuse of sporting platforms for partisan ends.
In Scandinavia, the Norwegian Football Federation announced it will lodge a formal complaint with FIFA regarding the suspension of forward Folarin Balogun’s red card, a move that UEFA has condemned as incomprehensible and a line that has been crossed.
The unfolding drama underscores a broader tension between global sports bodies and political actors, a clash that could reshape how international competitions are governed and perceived.