Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, has voiced strong criticisms regarding the upcoming World Cup in the United States and the alliance between FIFA's current president, Gianni Infantino, and U.S. President Donald Trump. Blatter, who resigned from FIFA following a corruption scandal known as FIFAgate, suggested that the U.S. government's intervention in FIFA affairs and the circumstances surrounding his own departure were indicative of a problematic relationship between football's governing body and U.S. political figures.

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into FIFA that culminated in raids in Zurich and the arrest of several top FIFA officials. Blatter alluded to these events as part of a larger scheme orchestrated from the U.S., aiming to undermine FIFA’s leadership, particularly during the controversially awarded World Cups to Russia and Qatar in 2018 and 2022. His remarks highlight the continuing discord within FIFA and among its historical leaders about governance and transparency.

Blatter’s comments underscore not only his disdain for the current trajectory of FIFA under Infantino but also reflect broader issues of accountability and ethics in sports governance, especially as the World Cup approaches. As tensions flare between the legacy of past FIFA leadership and the current administration, this criticism could resonate with stakeholders advocating for reform within the organization, as well as with fans concerned about the integrity of the sport.