In an unexpected twist during his state visit to Saudi Arabia, President Trump was joined by Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, who has been a steadfast supporter of Trump since his initial term. This partnership between Trump and Infantino, a notable figure in the soccer world, raised eyebrows due to its unusual closeness, especially as the U.S. gears up to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

On the second leg of Trump's Gulf tour, Infantino will participate in a significant ceremony in Qatar where the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, will officially transfer World Cup hosting responsibilities to Trump. Interestingly, representatives from Canada and Mexico won't be present, which has been a point of jest for Trump amid ongoing tensions with the neighboring countries.

FIFA members attending their annual congress in Paraguay expressed surprise at Infantino's decision to travel with Trump, leading to the sudden rescheduling of their board meeting to accommodate him. FIFA noted that Infantino has been invited to important events to discuss the World Cup's future. As Trump tightens his grips on the spotlight, it seems soccer and politics are closely intertwined this week in the Gulf region.