The Trump Taint: FIFA's World Cup Legacy Hangs in the Balance The optics of Donald Trump's attendance at the World Cup final were predictably awkward, a stark reminder that even the most joyous global events can't escape the polarizing presence of the U.
S. president. Trump watched the match alongside Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president he has been trying to curry favor with, sparking widespread criticism among soccer fans and analysts.
Beneath this controversy lies a more nuanced issue: Trump's attempts to use his influence over international sports for domestic political gain. The U. S.