4 ways Trump’s U.S. presidency might influence global football

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The manner in which Trump manages U.S.-Russia relations will have a significant and immediately noticeable impact on football upon his assumption of office.

Although there have been debates over Russian meddling in presidential elections in the United States, Trump had a more conciliatory stance towards Russia during his first term, favouring open dialogue over intimidation. Returning to this less antagonistic approach would allow sanctions against Russian oligarchs as well as businesses to be either eased or repealed.

In the European football scene, where Russian investors have long been significant, such a legislative reform would have widespread impact. Russian businessmen like Roman Abramovich have had an immense impact on elite European football in the past decade, transforming Chelsea into a global force.

Abramovich and other Russian football actors were expelled from the scene in compliance with the hefty Western sanctions imposed in reaction to Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

Should Trump relax these penalties, these investors could potentially be able to generate revenue once more, thus benefiting European football. Furthermore, should sanctions be eased, UEFA and FIFA could change their stance on Russian clubs and the national team. Russian entities may thus be allowed to reprise their participation in major leagues and tournaments.

For the football community, this evolution could produce a complicated and erratic scenario. Although European football would profit financially and competitively from it, this would also spark ethical discussions as well as opposition from teams and supporters with strong anti-war policies.

Trump's foreign policy, which puts American energy autonomy at the forefront, therefore straining ties with Gulf countries, could cause Middle Eastern investors to reconsider their interest in European football.

The United States's occasional aggressive stance towards some Middle Eastern Arab countries, along with the close connections to Israel, have sparked tensions beyond the field of play.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates of the Gulf have come to be an influential bloc in European football, and clubs like Manchester City, PSG, and Newcastle United have benefitted from substantial investments and sponsorship deals.

Trump's relationship with the Gulf countries might suffer if his administration takes an increasingly aggressively pro-Israel stance, which might result in European football's funding being reduced or withdrawn altogether.

Clubs that rely on Middle Eastern financing may find it more challenging to attract the best players and secure major sponsorships should their budgets be slashed.

As a consequence, the competitive balance in European football could be altered to ensure that teams devoid of wealthy support maintain equal footing.

Should such a situation occur and teams begin to explore alternate finance sources in Asia, South America, or North America, the global football ecosystem might be drastically disrupted.

Although football has historically provided a platform for cross-cultural interaction, geopolitical issues may impede international club relationships, especially when national interests intersect with football.

Trump's policies have the potential to widen national differences, therefore aggravating them and putting political pressure on football-regulating bodies like UEFA and FIFA.

For instance, clubs in North Africa and the Middle East could dismiss Israeli or closely affiliated teams should the United States take a pro-Israel stand.

This was the case when political tensions forced UEFA into deciding to relocate the match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Besiktas to a neutral venue in November, triggering logistical challenges for international club championships like these. These geopolitical variables could polarise the global football community more than ever.

Should UEFA and FIFA be compelled to review any events, the international tournament framework could become increasingly complex and stressed. Consequently, politically motivated measures would replace the unifying influence of football, which would make it challenging to plan and coordinate events, especially those involving clubs from politically sensitive areas.

Considering the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be jointly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the globe's most expensive football trophy, international cooperation will be essential. However, Trump's past immigration and trade policies—especially with regard to Mexico—may render this alliance harder to sustain. 

Should Trump restore such regulations, the World Cup could run into practical problems, including more checks at the border or visa restrictions on media, athletes, and fans.

Consequently, especially in relation to stadium upgrades and transportation infrastructure, the standards of the co-hosting countries on accessibility and mobility could be diminished.

Furthermore, the implementation of Trump's trade policies—which centred primarily on tariffs and border restrictions—may create hurdles for foreign commercial partnerships, thereby affecting potential sponsoring efforts and additional practical problems. 

Should political setbacks persist, the unity of the 2026 World Cup could be jeopardised; thus, FIFA and the host countries must navigate the situation cautiously to prevent a chaotic event.

 Conclusion

Ultimately, the football community might be unconcerned about Trump's victory and potential presidential run for office, but his policies in geopolitics and economy are bound to have a ripple effect. Trump's initiatives could present fresh opportunities and perils for clubs, players, and governing bodies worldwide, thereby altering the dynamics of international investments and media deals and influencing how U.S. football engages with the global football community. Given the growing geopolitical interconnectedness of the sport, football's future both in the United States as well as abroad is contingent upon our capacity to envision the potential outcomes of Trump's government.