Overview

• FIFA had prepared anti-racism and anti-discrimination materials for its Club World Cup in the United States but decided not to use them and will feature only the slogan 'Football unites the world' on captain’s armbands.
• The organization prominently displayed inclusion and equality messages at the Women’s World Cup 2023, ran anti-discrimination campaigns at the Men’s World Cup 2022, and adopted new measures against racism at its Bangkok 2024 Congress.
• President Gianni Infantino has expressed that FIFA remains neutral in political matters even as his close relationship with President Trump raises questions about Washington’s influence on the federation’s social messaging.
• US sports have shown a similar retreat from social-justice statements, exemplified by the NFL’s removal of its 'End Racism' slogan from Super Bowl end zones this year.
• FIFA has reiterated its stance of political neutrality but has not provided an explanation for scaling back its anti-discrimination messaging during the US-hosted Club World Cup.