Fans attending the announcement of the United States team roster in May. Part of what soccer officials want from the World Cup is a higher profile for the sport in the United States.
“For the past year, FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, has leased an office on the 17th floor of New York’s Trump Tower that has sat all but empty. The rent goes to President Trump’s family business, but soccer officials say the space sits largely idle. Paying rent to the Trumps was the choice of Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, who has made being close to Mr. Trump a top priority. He has lavished the president with praise, trophies and a medal. He has made pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago, the Trump National Doral golf club and even the “Melania” documentary premiere. Mr. Infantino has publicly boosted the president through impeachments and plummeting poll numbers. …”
NY Times