FIFA Pays Millions for Rarely Used Office in Trump Tower

FIFA has agreed to pay nearly $4 million in rent over more than seven years for a representative office on the 17th floor of Trump Tower in New York, according to documents reported by Le Monde. Sources familiar with the arrangement say the space is rarely used.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, announced the office in July 2025 at an event attended by Eric Trump. FIFA has said it pays market rent and that the space will be used during the 2026 World Cup. The organization already maintains a larger North American hub in Miami.

The lease adds to a series of public gestures by Infantino toward President Donald Trump. These include the creation of a FIFA Peace Prize presented to Trump, changes in the location of the World Cup draw, and frequent appearances together. A Democratic lawmaker has requested that Infantino appear before a House committee and produce records of any items of value given to Trump or his family.

Conservative estimates place the monthly cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. FIFA generates more than $11 billion in revenue from the current World Cup cycle. Critics inside and outside the organization have questioned whether the Trump Tower office serves a clear operational purpose or functions mainly as a symbol of proximity to the U.S. president.

FIFA has not released the full lease terms. The Trump Organization has not commented on the occupancy rate. The office sits above a lobby gift shop that sells Trump-branded items rather than World Cup merchandise.

The arrangement comes as FIFA prepares to host the men’s World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026. Infantino has argued that close ties with the host-country government are necessary for security and logistics. Opponents say the visible payments and gifts create an appearance of undue influence.

No independent audit of the office’s actual use has been published. The documents cited by Le Monde cover the 2025 agreement. FIFA continues to describe the New York presence as part of its strategy to be present in major global cities.