Ammon News - Gianni Infantino has defended his relationship with Donald Trump, saying proximity to the US president is “absolutely crucial” to the success of the 2026 World Cup.

Fifa’s president also defended the decision to award Saudi Arabia the World Cup in 2034 in rare remarks to the media while attending the International Football Association Board (Ifab) AGM in Belfast.

Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration in Washington last month and a replica of the World Cup sits in the Oval Office. But as tensions rise between the US and a number of former allies, including their World Cup co-hosts Canada and Mexico, Infantino said he believes working with the president is essential.

“I think it is absolutely crucial for the success of a World Cup to have a close relationship with the president,” Infantino said. “We are organising a Club World Cup this year, the first ever Fifa Club World Cup, 32 teams in the United States of America. We’re organising a World Cup next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada. And let’s not forget that when the bidding happened for that World Cup, President Trump was already president of the United States.” The Guardian