Gianni Infantino joins Donald Trump’s inaugural ‘Peace Council’ as sole Sports representative

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was the only figure from the sporting world to attend the inaugural session of US President Donald Trump’s newly formed “peace council,” joining an assembly largely made up of heads of state and senior political leaders.

The high-profile gathering, staged in Washington, focused on global cooperation and conflict resolution, with discussions reportedly centered on diplomatic strategy and international partnerships.

Infantino’s presence underlined football’s growing role in global conversations that stretch beyond sport.

Trump acknowledged the unusual dynamic in the room when welcoming participants.

In his trademark style, he singled out the FIFA chief with a light-hearted remark that drew laughter from attendees.

“Everyone here is a head of state, except Gianni. But he’s the head of football, so that’s not too bad. You know, I think I like your job more than anyone else’s,” Trump quipped.

His appearance at the council session further reflects FIFA’s efforts to position football as a unifying global force capable of contributing to dialogue and peace-building initiatives.

The relationship between the two leaders has been visible before. Infantino previously announced the creation of a special “FIFA Peace Prize,” naming Trump as its inaugural recipient – a move that attracted significant international attention.

As FIFA continues to expand its political and diplomatic footprint, Infantino’s participation in such forums signals a broader strategy: leveraging the global reach of football to engage with world leaders and influence conversations at the highest level.

Infantino has in recent months strengthened ties with the US administration, particularly as the United States continues preparations for major international football events.