FIFA president Gianni Infantino has staunchly defended the decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, dismissing concerns over human rights issues and the fairness of the bidding process while also addressing his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump and the potential return of Russia to international football.
Speaking in Belfast on Friday, Infantino reiterated that FIFA’s decision was part of a broader strategy to bring the tournament to different continents.
“There was a Congress decision, uniting the entire world,” he said. “I think it was a very positive step for football, bringing, in eight years, football from all over the world, hosting everyone.”
The decision has drawn criticism, particularly from the Norwegian Football Federation, over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including its treatment of migrant workers and the criminalization of LGBTQ+ identities.
However, Infantino insisted that FIFA’s rotation policy justifies the choice. “We have to be bringing everyone to the table. We will go to North America in 2026, then South America, Africa, and Europe in 2030, before returning to Asia in 2034,” he added.
Infantino also faced questions about his relationship with Donald Trump, after the former U.S. president’s daughter Ivanka took part in December’s FIFA Club World Cup draw. “I think it is absolutely crucial for the success of a World Cup to have a close relationship with the president,” he said.
“We are organizing the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this year and a World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in 2026. Let’s not forget that when the bidding happened, President Trump was already in office.”
Another pressing issue was the possible return of Russia to world football if a peace agreement is reached following its invasion of Ukraine.
Infantino took a diplomatic approach, saying, “We all hope that peace talks will be successful, because I think it is important that we support it for the world, much more than for football. If there is a little role that football can play, once peace is there, then of course, we’ll play our role.”
Despite the controversies surrounding FIFA’s decisions, Infantino remained steadfast, portraying the organization as a force for unity in global football.
