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US House Dem probes FIFA-Trump corruption claims

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and US President Donald Trump arrive for the final ceremony after the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and US President Donald Trump arrive for the final ceremony after the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)
July 28, 2026 09:09 AM GMT+03:00

A senior Democrat on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has opened an investigation into FIFA over allegations that the global football governing body sought favorable treatment from President Donald Trump's administration while building its relationship with the White House.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee's ranking Democrat, set out the inquiry in a letter sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino late Sunday. He also asked Infantino to sit down for a transcribed interview with committee staff while he is in the United States.

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Raskin said the investigation would look into what he described as a sustained effort by FIFA to secure benefits from Trump, including the alleged dropping of high-profile U.S. corruption cases connected to the organization.

"The most recent quid pro quo that FIFA and President Trump orchestrated is not a victimless crime," Raskin said.

(L-R) US President Donald Trump holds a medal as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Italian Fifa President Gianni Infantino (out of frame) during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5, 2025. (AFP Photo)
(L-R) US President Donald Trump holds a medal as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Italian Fifa President Gianni Infantino (out of frame) during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5, 2025. (AFP Photo)

FIFA's ties with Trump administration

The investigation will examine FIFA's governance under Infantino and allegations that the organization scaled back internal ethics safeguards while drawing closer to Trump.

Raskin also accused the Trump administration of stepping away from anti-corruption enforcement involving FIFA after earlier Justice Department prosecutions uncovered an international bribery scheme linked to football media rights.

According to the congressman, those investigations exposed more than $200 million in bribes and kickbacks involving defendants from over 20 countries. He alleged that some prosecutions were later dropped despite convictions having been secured in certain cases, allowing convicted defendants to go free.

Raskin is seeking documents and communications concerning any gifts, payments or other benefits allegedly provided by FIFA to Trump or people associated with him. He also requested records covering FIFA's contacts with U.S. officials and visitor logs for the organization's office in Trump Tower.

World Cup ticket sales in focus

The inquiry will also look into FIFA's World Cup ticketing system, which Raskin alleged involved sharp price increases, dynamic pricing and policies that could allow purchased seats to be downgraded.

Dynamic pricing is a system under which prices move up or down depending on demand and other market conditions.

Raskin claimed FIFA had used its relationship with the administration to carry out "illegal price gouging and fraudulent sales tactics" involving World Cup tickets.

The lawmaker asked Infantino to contact Democratic committee staff by the evening of Aug. 9, 2026, to arrange the requested interview.

"Furthermore, to assist in this investigation, we request that you, while in the United States, appear for a transcribed interview with this Committee," Raskin said in the letter.

July 28, 2026 09:09 AM GMT+03:00
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