Biden’s Approach to FIFA: A Strategic and Institutional Stance
Joe Biden’s relationship with Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has been characterized by a deliberate and low-key approach. Unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump, who made his connection with Infantino a central part of his public persona, Biden maintained a more institutional and pragmatic stance. This difference in style highlights how each administration used football as a tool for diplomacy, but in vastly different ways.
Limited Public Engagement
If you search for major public statements from Joe Biden about Gianni Infantino, you find surprisingly little. According to an article published by Fast Company, which republished content from the Associated Press, the connections between Biden and Infantino were minimal compared to the close ties between Trump and the FIFA president. The article notes a brief meeting at the G20 summit in Bali in 2022, a meeting between Douglas Emhoff and Infantino during the Women’s World Cup in 2023, and a 2024 meeting between Infantino and Jake Sullivan, not Biden himself.
This lack of direct engagement does not mean that Biden was indifferent to football. Rather, it reflects a strategy focused on institutional collaboration rather than personal branding.
Football as Diplomacy
Biden’s administration used FIFA tournaments as a platform for American representation abroad. For instance, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the White House sent an official presidential delegation to the closing ceremony in Doha, led by Linda Thomas Greenfield. Similarly, for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, an official delegation was sent to the opening ceremony in Auckland, with Douglas Emhoff as the head of the delegation.
This approach suggests a deliberate sports diplomatic line, where world football is treated as a platform for state presence rather than a personal showcase built around the president.
A Growing Sport in America
Biden also acknowledged the increasing popularity of soccer in the United States. In his remarks before a meeting with Keir Starmer in July 2024, he noted that soccer had become incredibly popular and was growing rapidly. While this statement may not directly address FIFA, it provides insight into his view of football as a significant part of America’s international profile and public life.
Equality and Governance
The most explicit criticism of FIFA from the Biden administration came from Vice President Kamala Harris. During a conversation with current and former players from the U.S. women’s national team, she highlighted the disparity in prize money between the men’s and women’s World Cups. She pointed out that the men’s champions received $38 million, while the women received only $4 million, calling the differences systemic.
This focus on equality and governance adds a political dimension to the administration’s approach, emphasizing fairness and institutional responsibility in global football tournaments.
Human Rights and Hosting Standards
The Biden administration also emphasized human rights and the long-term value of host cities. According to an AP article in Fast Company, officials stressed that host cities should gain real value from the tournament and that American human rights values should be respected. This aligns with broader concerns raised by organizations like Amnesty International, which noted the introduction of human rights criteria in FIFA’s selection process for the 2026 World Cup.
These considerations reflect a more responsible and sustainable approach to hosting major sporting events.
Contrasting with Trump’s Personal Approach
In contrast to Biden’s institutional focus, Donald Trump made his relationship with Infantino highly personal. From the early days of his presidency, Trump welcomed Infantino to the Oval Office, publicly thanked him, and spoke about the World Cup as one of the greatest sporting events. This personal touch became a key part of Trump’s public image and leadership style.
When Trump returned to the White House, he took further steps to strengthen his connection with FIFA. He created a White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, with himself as chair. Infantino praised this move, describing it as a sign of the American government’s commitment to the tournament.
A Contrast in Strategies
The World Cup 2026 serves as a mirror of two very different approaches to sports diplomacy. While Biden kept FIFA on an institutional track, focusing on diplomacy, equality, and responsible hosting, Trump made the relationship personal and integral to his political narrative.
Biden’s approach, though less visible, reveals a strategic and values-based engagement with football, while Trump’s personal involvement underscores a different vision of how sports can be used as a political tool.
In conclusion, the contrast between Biden and Trump’s approaches to FIFA highlights the diverse ways in which leaders can engage with global sports organizations. Biden’s emphasis on institutional collaboration and values-based diplomacy offers a distinct perspective, one that prioritizes long-term impact over immediate personal branding.
