For years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (“FIFA”) has been criticized for citing political neutrality to avoid confronting World Cup hosts over violations of international law and human rights, effectively legitimizing the status quo and the transgression through what is known as “sportswashing.” 

In the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, however, while FIFA insisted that it could not condemn the United States’ actions here or abroad because it had to remain neutral, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was anything but neutral in his dealings with the United States.  He intervened in domestic politics to support President Donald Trump through made-up awards such as the FIFA Peace Prize, assisted him at diplomatic sessions, offered statements in support of his political goals in public forums and facilitated the reversal of a controversial red card suspension of the U.S.’ star striker after receiving a call from President Trump.

How do we reconcile FIFA’s seemingly inconsistent positions on political neutrality?  What, if anything, can law do about it?  Let’s take the lunch hour to kick these questions around as we do a post-mortem of the 2026 World Cup!