FIFA agreed to pay nearly $4 million to rent offices in Donald Trump‘s New York skyscraper, although the space reportedly remains largely unused. The arrangement has raised questions about the relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the US president.
French newspaper Le Monde revealed details of the agreement on October 13, citing internal FIFA documents.
The contract runs for seven years and seven months, extending well beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA Pays Nearly $470,000 a Year for Trump Tower Offices
FIFA signed the lease in May 2025 through its US subsidiary, FIFA Americas.
The agreement covers approximately 450 square meters of office space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan.
The landlord is Trump Tower Commercial LLC, a company headed by Eric Trump, the president’s son.
According to Le Monde, FIFA pays approximately $470,000 in annual rent. The organization also faced nearly $100,000 in additional maintenance and renovation expenses.
The newspaper reported that no FIFA employees work permanently at the location.
Its investigation also found that FIFA had not considered competing properties before signing the lease.
Several FIFA officials reportedly raised internal concerns about the decision and a possible conflict of interest.
FIFA rejected suggestions that the arrangement violated its procedures.
The organization said the rent reflects market prices and that the lease complies with its internal rules.
FIFA also explained that it uses the New York office for meetings and events involving football officials and other representatives.
Infantino’s Relationship With Trump Faces Renewed Scrutiny
The agreement has drawn attention because of Infantino’s close public relationship with Trump.
FIFA opened the office in June 2025, ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.
The organization said the location would also support activities connected to the 2026 World Cup.
In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with FIFA’s peace prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington.
The gesture prompted criticism of the football organization’s political neutrality.
Le Monde reported that the office agreement could raise questions about financial ties between FIFA and the family of the US president.
However, the investigation does not establish that the lease itself was illegal.
FIFA maintains that its decision followed standard internal procedures.
The revelations come ahead of a FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15 in Zurich.
The organization faces renewed questions about financial transparency and its leadership’s relationship with political figures.
