The International Olympic Committee (IOC) are reportedly set to investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino after he allegedly broke a strict rule in a meeting with US president Donald Trump.
Both men have become close in the build up to the 2026 World Cup, which is set to be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico. Trump attended the draw for the competition, as Infantino then presented the American leader with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
Their bond has spilled over from the football pitch, though, with Infantino invited to attend the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace, established as part of his 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. The head of world football’s governing body used the occasion to announce that an agreement had been reached over a formal partnership which would oversee a three-stage plan to support the regeneration of Gaza.
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Among the plan’s points were the construction of a 20-000-seater stadium, 50 FIFA Arena mini-pitches near schools and residential areas, five full-size pitches and a FIFA Academy.
Infantino Accused of Breaking Strict Rule During Meeting
However, one of the more controversial moments came when Infantino was accused of breaking a strict rule set by FIFA. During the meeting, the camera panned to him wearing a MAGA-style red hat, featuring the word ‘USA’ on the front while the numbers ’45–47’—a reference to Trump’s two presidencies — were located on the side.
The hats were gifted to attendees from the nine countries who attended the meeting, along with Infantino. But journalist Duncan Castles pointed out on social media that Infantino donning the hat was in violation of FIFA’s Code of Ethics.
He wrote: “FIFA Code of Ethics, Article 14.3: ‘Persons bound by this Code shall appreciate the impact their conduct may have on FIFA’s reputation, and shall therefore behave in a dignified and ethical manner and act with complete credibility and integrity at all times.’
“Article 15.1: ‘In dealings with government institutions, national and international organisations, associations and groupings, persons bound by this Code shall, in addition to observing the basic rules of article 14, remain politically neutral, in accordance with the principles and objectives of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and clubs, and generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity.’”
IOC Now Set to Investigate Infantino
Following the Board of Peace’s meeting, the IOC have since confirmed that they will investigate Infantino’s conduct, due to him potentially breaching the body’s charter. Infantino, as a member, is bound by an oath “to always act independently of … political interests” and cannot accept “mandate or instructions” from governments or organisations which “interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.”
Per the Athletic, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said: “I wasn’t aware of that, that we had an IOC member front and centre. Now that you guys (journalists) made us aware of it we will go back and have a look at it.
“The IOC Charter is very clear what it expects of its members. We will go and research into the alleged signing of documents.”
Coventry went on to add: “I think from the IOC’s point of view we will continue to be politically neutral. That’s the only way for us as an organisation to ensure that we allow for there to be fairness on the field of play. That’s what we will continue to do as we walk into the future.”
This latest instance is not the only time Infantino has been accused of violating FIFA’s rules on neutrality. In November 2025, Miguel Maduro, the former chairman of FIFA’s Governance Committee, claimed he had breached the statute by endorsing Trump’s political agenda.
The next month, non-profit organisation FairSquare than complained to the body’s Ethics Committee and accused Infantino of repeatedly forgetting his responsibility of neutrality in his relationship with Trump. This included the decision to award him a Peace Prize.
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