FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing new pressure from Congress after Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, requested documents related to the soccer organization’s relationship with President Donald Trump, his administration and Trump-linked business interests.
In a letter to Infantino, Raskin asked FIFA to turn over communications, records of gifts, payments or benefits involving Trump and his associates, and visitor logs for FIFA’s office space in Trump Tower. He also requested that Infantino sit for a transcribed interview as Democrats examine whether the global soccer body received favorable treatment from the administration or provided benefits connected to Trump.
The request does not automatically force Infantino to testify. Because Democrats do not control the House, Raskin would need Republican support to compel compliance. Still, the letter signals growing political scrutiny of FIFA’s U.S. operations following a World Cup marked by controversy over Trump’s visible role, ticketing concerns and questions about the organization’s access to the administration.
Infantino’s relationship with Trump drew renewed attention during the tournament. Trump appeared with Infantino at major World Cup events, including the final trophy presentation after Spain defeated Argentina. The two were reportedly seen together in luxury seating before joining other leaders on the field.
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Raskin’s letter also points to FIFA’s decision to open office space in Trump Tower in New York last year. The committee is seeking visitor logs and communications connected to that office, suggesting Democrats want to know whether FIFA’s physical presence in a Trump-branded property created financial or political benefits for the president’s business network.
The inquiry also references Trump receiving a newly created FIFA peace prize during a World Cup draw event in Washington. Critics have questioned whether the award reflected genuine sporting diplomacy or served as a symbolic gesture toward a president whose administration had influence over federal agencies, law enforcement priorities and major event security.
FIFA has not been accused in court of wrongdoing in connection with the issues raised in Raskin’s letter. The organization has been approached for comment, according to the source material.
Another point of scrutiny is the Trump administration’s handling of past U.S. corruption cases involving international soccer. Raskin referenced Justice Department decisions related to defendants in investigations that began with the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal, when U.S. prosecutors charged numerous soccer officials and sports-marketing executives.
Raskin suggested that Infantino’s leadership was supposed to mark a break from FIFA’s earlier corruption scandals, but argued that the organization has since weakened internal ethics oversight and become too close to the Trump administration.
The letter also raises concerns about World Cup ticketing. FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing drew criticism during the tournament after some fans faced sharply higher costs. Several state attorneys general have reportedly been looking into ticketing practices, and Raskin argued that FIFA’s favored position with the administration may have encouraged aggressive pricing that hurt American consumers.
FIFA and its defenders are likely to argue that dynamic pricing is common in major live events and that the World Cup’s U.S. edition was a commercial success. But critics say ordinary fans were priced out of matches and that a global sporting event should not operate like a luxury auction.
The controversy around U.S. striker Folarin Balogun added another political layer. Trump reportedly contacted Infantino to lobby for a review of Balogun’s red-card suspension before the United States played Belgium in the knockout stage. FIFA later reversed the ban. There is no public proof that Trump’s calls determined the outcome, but the sequence drew complaints from other soccer officials and raised questions about political influence over sporting decisions.
The Norwegian football federation is reportedly preparing an ethics complaint over Trump’s role in the disciplinary reversal.
Infantino, meanwhile, has pushed back against critics. In a lengthy Instagram statement, he denounced what he described as false narratives and defended the World Cup as a success.
The issue may not end with this tournament. The United States is expected to play a major role in hosting the 2031 Women’s World Cup, and speculation is already growing about whether the U.S. could seek another men’s World Cup in 2038. That makes FIFA’s relationship with American political leaders increasingly important.
Why It Matters
The investigation raises questions about the intersection of sports, politics and private business. FIFA is not just a sports organization; it controls events that generate billions of dollars, require public security coordination and affect consumers, cities, broadcasters and sponsors.
If a president’s business interests, political influence and FIFA’s U.S. operations overlap, Congress may seek to determine whether public power was used fairly or whether private entities received special access.
The ticketing issue also matters for fans. If dynamic pricing and limited competition make World Cup attendance unaffordable, the tournament risks becoming a spectacle for wealthy buyers rather than a global event accessible to ordinary supporters.
What Comes Next
Raskin has asked FIFA to provide documents and schedule an interview by August 9. Without Republican backing, however, Democrats may have limited power to force Infantino’s cooperation.
FIFA may respond publicly, produce some documents voluntarily or reject parts of the request. State-level investigations into ticketing practices could also continue separately from the congressional inquiry.
House Judiciary Democrat Jamie Raskin is seeking FIFA records related to Gianni Infantino’s contacts with Trump and his administration.
House Judiciary Democrat Jamie Raskin has asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to testify on FIFA’s ties to Donald Trump, including gifts, Trump Tower office space, and dropped DOJ corruption charges.
Raskin warned a future Democrat House majority could issue subpoenas.
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