Podcast Summary: Trump’s World Cup

Today, Explained (Vox)
Air Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the political, cultural, and economic forces shaping the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in the United States. Hosts Estee Herndon and Adam Crafton (The Athletic) explore how former President Donald Trump has become closely intertwined with the tournament, the influence and motivations of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the mechanics and implications of the US’s World Cup bid, controversies over ticket pricing, immigration policy concerns, and the tournament’s significance for both soccer fans and the broader American public.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Securing the 2026 World Cup: The Bid Process

• The US, Canada, and Mexico won the right to co-host the event with a joint bid submitted during Trump’s first presidency.
  • Motivation for a joint bid: Concerns that, due to recent scandals involving the U.S. DOJ and FBI investigations into FIFA, a solo US bid may not have been successful. The joint approach with neighboring countries was viewed as a "softer landing" (03:00).
  • Trump was quick to take credit for bringing the Cup to the US, though insiders stress the collaborative and diplomatic effort required.

    “At any moment President Trump gets the opportunity to take credit for it, he will do.”
    — Adam Crafton (02:53)

  • American delegation members reportedly downplayed Trump’s rhetoric to international officials during the bid period.

    “They would be going around saying to people things like, oh, you know, Trump doesn't really mean what he's saying, or don't worry, he won't be the president by the time this comes around."
    — Adam Crafton (03:59)

2. Key Figures: Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino

• Gianni Infantino: Swiss-Italian FIFA president with a background as an outsider and bureaucrat, emerging post-2015 FIFA scandals.
  • Emphasizes his "change-maker" ethos and identifies with being bullied and marginalized as a child.

    “I know what it means to be discriminated, to be bullied as a foreigner in a foreign country.”
    — Gianni Infantino (05:01)

• Trump-Infantino Relationship: Maintained close contact through and after Trump’s presidency—a rarity as most global leaders distanced post-January 6.
  • Infantino attended Mar-a-Lago, praised Trump at Davos, and has been in the Oval Office more frequently than many foreign dignitaries.

    “Infantino has been in the Oval Office more than any foreign state leader, for example. That's extraordinary.”
    — Adam Crafton (09:01)

  • Trump reciprocated by publicly recognizing Infantino at campaign events.

    “The president of FIFA, Johnny Infantino. FIFA, FIFA. Where's Johnny? Whoa, Johnny my boy... He's big stuff.”
    — Donald Trump (08:49)

3. The FIFA Peace Prize and Political Bargaining

• FIFA Peace Prize: Created seemingly out of thin air, awarded first to Donald Trump at the Cup draw in December 2025.
  • Seen as both an appeal to Trump’s ego and a pragmatic move to ensure federal resources (such as $625 million in security funding) and smooth logistics for the event.

    “FIFA has never had a Peace Prize. Nobody has ever asked FIFA to do a Peace Prize as far as we know.”
    — Adam Crafton (10:31)

  • Outcry over FIFA being too accommodating to Trump, especially for visa concessions (“FIFA pass”) but simultaneously criticized for travel bans impacting fans from countries like Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Ivory Coast (12:49).
  • Infantino’s public praise for Trump and overt lobbying reflect FIFA’s “go above and beyond” strategy to secure national cooperation amid fears of domestic backlash.

    "Why are we helping these guys so much? And actually, does a Peace Prize go some way to just making sure that's always on his desk and reminding him FIFA's great."
    — Adam Crafton (13:44)

4. Ticket Prices and “Local Market Conditions”

• Sky-High Prices: Massive backlash against initial ticket prices, with three original tiers for the final:
  • Category 1: $8,680
  • Category 2: $5,575
  • Category 3: $4,185

    “Category one, $8,680.”
    — Adam Crafton (20:34)

  • After criticism, a fourth $60 ticket category was introduced, but this represents only 1.6% of tickets, allocated to the most loyal fans from participating countries—not for the average American.

    “It will be only for 1.6% of tickets per game... split evenly between the two nations that are competing.”
    — Adam Crafton (21:17)

  • FIFA justifies pricing by citing “local market conditions” and “dynamic pricing” to match high US-based demand and maximize global soccer development revenue.

5. Immigration Concerns and ICE Raids

• Mixed Signals: Advocacy groups express worry over possible ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids at matches, fueled by inconsistent communication from the White House and DHS.
  • While politically unlikely that Trump would want to mar the tournament’s global image, risks remain—especially for diaspora communities and in instances of standard fan misbehavior resulting in immigration checks.

    “I think it would be politically strange for fans going to these games to be the target of raids. However, that doesn't mean there aren't people within the administration who might see it as an opportunity…”
    — Adam Crafton (22:58)

  • Concern persists over whether immigrant fans will feel safe attending matches, particularly in high-diaspora areas.

6. Why the World Cup Still Matters for America

• Despite price and political controversies, the Cup will deliver extraordinary sporting moments, multicultural spectacles, and global attention.
  • A platform for diaspora communities to “take over the streets and the beaches,” with uniquely American vibrancy.

    “It'll be a blur of kind of music and color and vibrancy and Jeopardy. All of those ingredients that you want in big sporting events.”
    — Adam Crafton (26:15)

  • For casual fans: An opportunity to witness the world’s biggest event, legendary careers’ last stands (Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi), and the US at the center of global sport.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Ratings:

  "You look at the numbers, nobody's ever seen anything like the kind of numbers we're doing. The early ticket sales are through the roof." (00:43)

• On Bid Diplomacy:

  “Trump was saying some pretty disparaging things about other parts of the world. You'll be shocked to hear that.”
  — Adam Crafton (03:31)

• On FIFA Politics:

  “He loves being around rich, powerful people, sees himself as this kind of head of state for soccer … the king of soccer.”
  — Adam Crafton (11:17)

• On Pricing Backlash:

  “Absolutely horrible. I don't think we're going to the World cup anymore, bro.”
  — Estee Herndon (18:14)

• On American Exceptionalism:

  “This is an event that cannot fail. Right. You know, this is an event that cannot…”
  — Adam Crafton (17:37)

• On Multicultural America:

  “You're going to have games in New Jersey where it looks like a home game for Ecuador, games in Miami where Argentina or Brazil will just fill that stadium.”
  — Adam Crafton (25:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• US Bid and Trump's Role: 02:19–04:34
• Infantino’s Background and FIFA’s Post-Scandal Direction: 04:34–06:19
• Trump-Infantino Relationship & Peace Prize: 06:19–11:04
• FIFA’s Political Calculus (federal funding, visas, travel bans): 11:17–13:44
• Ticket Pricing Controversy: 17:37–22:04
• Immigration Enforcement Concerns: 22:04–24:35
• Why the Cup Matters (for fans and the indifferent): 24:59–26:33

Conclusion

The episode paints the 2026 US World Cup as a convergence of global sport and domestic politics, with deep implications for accessibility, international relations, and American multiculturalism. Trump’s desire to center himself in the narrative, Infantino’s maneuvering, FIFA’s commercial ambitions, and looming questions about inclusivity and safety make this not just a soccer story—but a distinctly American one.