The appearance of Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), among the attendees at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit on Gaza, which ended with the signing of a comprehensive document regarding the agreement between Hamas and Israel, sparked widespread interaction on social media platforms.

The FIFA President caught attention as the only non-political leader in the main photo of the summit, which led many to wonder why a prominent sports figure like him would participate in a major political event of this size among the presidents and leaders of more than 20 countries.

Some denounced Infantino’s participation in a peace summit regarding Gaza, especially after his statement at the beginning of this month that “FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems,” in reference to mounting calls to suspend the participation of Israeli teams in international competitions.

relationship with Trump

Although Infantino is a sports figure, observers link his participation to American efforts to promote peace in the Middle East, benefiting from his influence as head of the largest global sports organization.

Others emphasized that his attendance at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit raises questions about how to integrate sports into the political process and reflects a deep intersection between the world of sports and diplomacy, especially in light of his close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

Infantino’s relationship with Trump goes back years, and began to strengthen since Infantino’s election as FIFA president in 2016, as he sought to restore relations with the United States after the major corruption scandal during the era of Joseph Blatter, which was exposed by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and led to the imprisonment of officials and the resignation of Blatter himself.

Since then, the United States has become a strategic partner of FIFA, especially after winning the right to host the 2026 World Cup in partnership with Canada and Mexico.

During his first term, Trump was a strong supporter of this file, as he threatened countries that would not vote for the American file with political and economic sanctions. After the victory, Infantino visited the White House and presented Trump with a shirt with the number “26,” a symbol of the 26th edition of the World Cup, along with two red and yellow arbitration cards, in a scene that became a symbol of the relationship between the two men.

Trump described Infantino as a “dear friend,” using words such as “great” and “greatest,” as is his custom in praising those he admires.

With Trump’s return to the presidency in January 2025, this friendship was further strengthened, as Infantino was one of the first to congratulate Trump on Trump’s victory, as FIFA issued an official statement thanking the US President for his support of football.

Infantino posted pictures on his Instagram account of him and Trump, with comments confirming the “great friendship” between them. On the day of the inauguration, Infantino attended the ceremony, had dinner with Trump, and even participated in playing golf.

In another meeting at the White House, Infantino met with Trump, accompanied by Juventus players, praising the American administration’s support for the Club World Cup, which is hosted by the United States.

Outside the boundaries of sports

This relationship has sparked widespread controversy in sports and political circles, as some believe that it has exceeded the limits of neutral sport.

For example, during Trump’s visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Infantino was repeatedly seen next to him, which prompted the European Football Association (UEFA) to protest the absence of the FIFA president from an important meeting in Paraguay.

In Qatar, Trump stressed the importance of the 2026 World Cup, while Infantino remained silent about Trump’s statements about inviting Russia to the tournament despite its ban due to the invasion of Ukraine, out of an interest in preserving the relationship.

Observers say that the secret of this relationship lies in mutual interests, as Trump sees the 2026 World Cup as an internal political platform to enhance his popularity, especially with his announcement of the drawing of lots in Washington. As for Infantino, he seeks to ensure the success of the tournament without obstacles from the US administration, such as visa and immigration issues. In a previous statement at the Davos Forum in 2020, Infantino described Trump as a competitive sportsman who always wants to win.

Infantino comment

For his part, Infantino commented on his attendance at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit via his Instagram account, saying: It was a historic day for peace in Sharm El-Sheikh, thanks to the leadership of United States President Donald Trump and the unified position of world leaders. It is a new dawn for the entire region and the entire world.

He added that the role of football is to support, unify and give hope to the region. In Gaza and Palestine, “We will help rebuild all football facilities. We will help restore football, in cooperation with the Palestinian Football Association, in every corner of the country.”

There were many interpretations of Infantino’s invitation to the summit, as bloggers believed that his attendance aimed to highlight the role of football in promoting regional peace and reconciliation following the war in Gaza.

Others considered that sport has become an influential diplomatic tool, capable of bringing people together and overcoming differences, noting that FIFA may use its influence to support peace and stability initiatives in the region.

Egyptian desire

On the other hand, some saw that Egypt, which has hosted several football events under the umbrella of FIFA over the past years, seeks, through Infantino’s participation, to link sports, reconstruction and peace in the post-conflict phase, emphasizing that football can be a bridge for regional rapprochement.

A number of activists described Infantino as the “strange guest” at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, as he was the only one from outside the world of politics among those attending.

On the other hand, others pointed out that his presence acquired international symbolism, as the head of one of the largest international organizations, and because he may have wanted to be a witness to the peace agreement and its historical moments.

While some linked Infantino’s presence at the summit to the United States’ approaching hosting of the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup Finals next year, in partnership with Canada and Mexico, which adds an additional political dimension to the presence of the FIFA President.

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