US President elect Donald Trump appeared at the draw for the FIFA Club World Cup in a surprise video message, which surprised many, making it clear he had a good relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino, who is infamous for his press conference where he claimed to have had the same experience as gay people, women, Africans, Qataris, women and disabled people, who face the same experience in his view, has drawn criticism for his hypocrisy and ignoring of humans rights issues. He was the focus of Trump’s message of support for the FIFA Club World Cup in a surprise video message.
🚨 Rodrigo De Paul: “Even if it’s just for a little while, it’s an honor to wear the Atlético de Madrid captain’s armband.” pic.twitter.com/hOqYlReKCm
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) December 6, 2024
Ivanka Trump, his daughter, was also present at the event, and Trump claimed to have played a key role in the USA being awarded the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
“I will try and be there if I can, I would. We’ll see what happens. But I just want to say you’re led by a man named Gianni. I just know him as Gianni and he’s a winner and he’s the president, and I’m the president. And we’ve known each other a long time, and I’m so honored to have this kind of a relationship because soccer is going through the roof. As everybody knows, it’s been doing fantastically well.”
Donald Trump says he played role in the #USA being awarded the #WorldCup.pic.twitter.com/IFPrJGdLpi
— Football España (@footballespana_) December 6, 2024
“I want to say my highest regards in respect to Gianni, and it’s an honor to be with you and we’ll be with you very soon. And we’re going to be watching the World Cup, very importantly, also very soon. And I was very responsible, along with Gianni in getting it. And it’s going to be a fantastic thing.”
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid featured in the draw as the La Liga representatives for the fresh tournament, which has taken the name of the previous competition for winners of continental tournaments. It will take place in the USA from the 14th of June to the 14th of July in 2025, and will include 32 teams from around the globe.
