explainer
Those in attendance in Egypt included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who continued a series of meetings with US President Donald Trump.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s participation in a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday may have come as a surprise to those who expected only world leaders, presidents and dignitaries to attend the Red Sea resort.
Infantino was photographed next to the event’s co-chair, President Donald Trump, during a recent joint appearance during the second Trump presidency.
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Here’s what you need to know about Infantino’s presence in Egypt.
Why did the FIFA president attend the Egyptian peace summit?
Infantino said that President Trump had invited him to the peace summit. “FIFA is here to cooperate, support and do everything we can to make sure this peace process comes to fruition and has the best possible outcome.”
His invitation comes as the FIFA president has become increasingly vocal about the Israel-Gaza conflict in recent days.
Last week, he called for football to support Middle East peace efforts ahead of two World Cup qualifiers involving Israel, after pro-Palestinian demonstrations were planned at stadiums in Norway and Italy.
After Friday’s announcement of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Infantino praised the U.S.-brokered plan and nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
“President Trump’s role is extremely fundamental and important in this process. Without him, there will be no peace.”
What role did Infantino play in the Peace Summit?
In Sharm El Sheikh, the FIFA President emphasized the important role of football in creating new hope for the Middle East region.
Following Monday’s peace summit, Infantino pledged the governing body’s support for rebuilding football infrastructure in the Gaza Strip as part of broader post-war reconstruction efforts.
“The role of football must be to support, unite and give hope to the region. In Gaza, Palestine, of course, we will support the rebuilding of all the football facilities. Together with the Palestinian Football Association, we will help bring football back to every corner of the country. We will bring (football), we will build pitches, we will bring instructors, we will help organize tournaments and we will launch a fund to help rebuild football infrastructure in Palestine,” he announced.
“Football is very, very important because it brings hope to children,” Infantino said, adding that FIFA will contribute with the mini-pitch and FIFA Arena and invites other partners to join the effort.
What is the relationship between Infantino and Trump?
Trump first met Infantino at the White House in 2018, during his first term as president, after the United States won co-hosting rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
They have attended summits together before. In 2020, they shared the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Washington Post reported that it was during the summit that Infantino first referred to President Trump as “my great friend.”
The two remained in touch after Trump left office in early 2021, and Infantino has been spotted with the president numerous times since Trump’s second inauguration, which coincided with the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in June.
Most recently, on Aug. 22, Infantino was photographed inside the Oval Office after presenting Trump with a replica of the golden World Cup trophy.
In late 2024, Infantino relocated to Trump’s hometown of Miami for the North American-based World Cup, giving the two friends easy access for future joint public appearances.
