Fifa president Gianni Infantino defends Saudi World Cup Donald Trump relationship

LONDON – Fifa president Gianni Infantino has stood by his governing body’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, while also defending his relationship with US President Donald Trump.

The Gulf kingdom was controversially handed the right to host the World Cup at a Fifa Congress in December despite concerns about its human rights record, the risks to migrant labourers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

The process followed by Fifa was also criticised by the Norwegian football federation but, speaking in Belfast on Feb 28, Infantino said: “There was a Congress decision, uniting the entire world.

“I think it was a very positive step for football, bringing in eight years, football from all over the world, hosting everyone. We have to be bringing everyone to the table. We will go to North America in 2026, now we go to South America, go to Africa, we’ll go to Europe in 2030. We’ll go back to Asia for 2034.

“The Fifa Congress approved that, it was done after an in-depth report on all this.”

Infantino also faced questions about his relationship with Mr Trump and his family as he arrived for the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB),which sets the laws of the sport.

The president’s daughter Ivanka was involved in the Fifa Club World Cup draw in December, with Infantino also attending Mr Trump’s inauguration in January.

When asked why he was so close to the polarising president, Infantino said: “I think it is absolutely crucial for the success of a World Cup to have a close relationship with the president.

“We are organising a Club World Cup this year – the first-ever Fifa Club World Cup, 32 teams, in the United States of America.

“We’re organising a World Cup next year in