FIFA president Gianni Infantino prioritized a private event with U.S. President Donald Trump at Trump Tower over an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York City as the 2026 World Cup approached its final. At the event with Trump, both praised each other and the tournament's success. Trump revealed ambitions for the U.S. to host a future World Cup exclusively, excluding Mexico and Canada. Infantino, who has received criticism for his closeness to Trump and even awarded him the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, showed clear favoritism toward the president during the event.

While Infantino was at Trump Tower, star players like Lionel Messi and Spain's team participated in a separate fan event organized by FIFA’s partner Fanatics at the Javits Center. This gathering featured soccer icons alongside athletes from other sports such as Novak Djokovic and Tom Brady, with a mix of entertainment and light-hearted interactions. Despite initial confusion about ticketing and the nature of the events, fans were able to see players on stage but did not attend official press conferences, which remained media-only.

The overall ambiance at Fanatics Fest was part fan experience, part celebrity showcase, with fans packed into the venue and enduring loud music and brief appearances from the soccer stars, which lasted about 20 minutes. The event displayed a high-energy, party-like atmosphere, though some fans appeared frustrated with the limited access and the event’s brevity. Security remarks humorously acknowledged the crowded conditions as fans left the event.

This situation highlights FIFA’s strategy of leveraging high-profile partnerships and political relationships to amplify the World Cup’s media presence in the U.S., while also spotlighting tensions around transparency and fan engagement. Infantino’s apparent preference for private diplomacy with Trump contrasts with the public, fan-centered activities arranged by corporate partners such as Fanatics, underscoring differing approaches to promoting the tournament ahead of its final match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium.