"You have to be everywhere": FIFA moves into office in Trump Tower

The Club World Cup in the USA brings together not only footballers from all over the world, but also the US President and the world governing body. FIFA is opening an office in Trump Tower—and not just temporarily.

A little more Trump for FIFA: The gold-plated Club World Cup trophy will be on display at Trump Tower in New York until the final next Sunday. Gianni Infantino, president of the world football governing body, unveiled the trophy in the atrium of the Manhattan building. The trophy will be on public display there until Saturday. Infantino also announced that FIFA will open a representative office at Trump Tower.

"FIFA is a global organization, and to be global, you also have to be local; you have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York," Infantino said. "Not just for this year's Club World Cup and next year's." FIFA already has a U.S. headquarters in Miami. U.S. President Donald Trump was not present at the event; his son, Eric Trump, attended the announcement. The semifinals and final of the Club World Cup will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, near New York.

During the Club World Cup, there have already been some curious situations surrounding US President Trump. For example, at the press conference with the Juventus Turin players a few weeks ago. The Italians and FIFA President Infantino were supposed to be present to discuss the ongoing Club World Cup in the USA. However, in front of the media, Trump mostly answered questions about the war between Israel and Iran and the role of the United States – with the Juventus players behind him.

Some of the professionals seemed somewhat confused by the proceedings. US international and former Schalke player Weston McKennie, for example, stared straight ahead for most of the session. The president also indirectly addressed the topic of transgender athletes in sports: "Could a woman play on your team, guys?" McKennie and fellow countryman Timothy Weah left that unanswered, looking at each other somewhat perplexed. Juventus manager Damien Comolli finally said: "We have a very good women's team." To which Trump replied: "But they should play with women." Comolli left that uncommented.