FIFA Head Wears 'USA' Hat at Trump's Board of Peace Meeting

Infantino pledges FIFA's financial support for rebuilding soccer infrastructure in Gaza.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino sported a red 'USA' hat during the inaugural meeting of President Trump's Board of Peace on Thursday, where he pledged the governing body's monetary support for rebuilding soccer infrastructure in Gaza. Infantino announced that FIFA would invest tens of millions of dollars into building 50 mini pitches, five full-sized pitches, a soccer academy, and a $50 million national stadium in Gaza.

Why it matters

Infantino's move to align FIFA with Trump's Board of Peace has raised concerns about the organization's political neutrality, as FIFA's ethics policy mandates officials remain impartial. The investment in Gaza's soccer infrastructure is also seen as part of Trump's broader peace plan for the region.

The details

During the meeting, Infantino told the room of world leaders, 'We don't have to just rebuild houses or schools or hospitals or roads. We also have to rebuild and build people['s] emotion, hope, and trust, and this is what football, my sport, is about.' The subsequent video announcement detailed FIFA's plans to invest tens of millions into building 50 mini pitches, five full-sized pitches, a soccer academy, and a $50 million national stadium in Gaza.

  • On February 19, 2026, Infantino attended the inaugural meeting of President Trump's Board of Peace.
  • In December 2025, Trump was honored with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, which was widely criticized as an attempt to appease the president.

The players

Gianni Infantino

The current president of FIFA, the international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who is currently chairing the Board of Peace tasked with supervising postwar restoration efforts in Gaza.

María Corina Machado

The Venezuelan opposition leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, but later gave her medal to Trump.

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What they’re saying

“We don't have to just rebuild houses or schools or hospitals or roads. We also have to rebuild and build people['s] emotion, hope, and trust, and this is what football, my sport, is about.”

— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

“This is the most prestigious board ever put together. You know, I've seen some great corporate boards. I've seen some great boards, period. It's peanuts compared to this board because we have… virtually everyone is the head of a country other than Johnny, but he's the head of soccer, so that's not so bad, right, Johnny? I like your job the best, I think.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Infantino's decision to wear a 'USA' hat and pledge FIFA's financial support for Gaza's soccer infrastructure as part of Trump's Board of Peace has raised concerns about the organization's political neutrality, as FIFA's ethics policy mandates officials remain impartial.