Americast - Is Trump giving the FIFA World Cup a MAGA makeover?
Download Is Trump giving the FIFA World Cup a MAGA makeover?
As the United States gets ready to host the Fifa World Cup 2026, Americast looks at what’s behind the close relationship between Donald Trump and the president of football’s world governing body, Gianna Infantino.
Sarah and Anthony go back to 2018, in Trump’s first term, when America won its bid to host the 2026 World Cup. We look at how the relationship between Infantino and Trump has developed since then, and examine claims that the Fifa World Cup is being over politicised by both men.
The US president has threatened to move scheduled games away from Democrat cities, and the Fifa president has been criticised for creating a special peace prize that Donald Trump is widely expected to win.
What does the World Cup really mean for Donald Trump, and how will that impact on wider America, and the fans who watch the event?
Hosts Sarah Smith, North America editor and Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent are joined by guest Henry Bushnell, senior writer for the Athletic
Producer: George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve
Sound engineer: Mike Regaard
Editor: Sam Bonham
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Published on Friday, 5th December 2025.
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