FIFA Drops Anti-Racism Messaging for US Club World Cup

FIFA has notably refrained from displaying anti-racism and anti-discrimination materials during the Club World Cup in the United States, marking a significant departure from its previous tournaments like the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Despite having developed such messaging prior to the event, FIFA chose not to show signage, videos, or social media campaigns promoting their "No Racism" and "No Discrimination" campaigns during the tournament. This silence contrasts with regional entities such as Concacaf, which continue to actively promote anti-racism initiatives. The decision aligns with a broader trend in the U.S. where many corporations and institutions are retreating from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, a shift exemplified by the NFL's removal of anti-racism messages at the recent Super Bowl attended by President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino's close relationship with President Trump, including attending multiple Trump events and prioritizing time with him over football commitments, has raised questions about the influence of the U.S. political climate on FIFA's stance. FIFA maintains it remains politically neutral, though it has not clarified the rationale behind the shift or whether clubs were consulted, prompting criticism of hypocrisy given prior commitments to combating racism and discrimination.