FIFA pays $3.19 million to Trump Tower for nearly vacant New York office
French newspaper Le Monde has put a figure on the alleged deal between FIFA and Donald Trump's company: $3.19 million for a 450-square-meter space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower. The office, leased in June 2025, remains largely vacant with no FIFA staff assigned. The contract ties FIFA to the tower until late 2032, more than six years after the 2026 World Cup.
ByInfoBlaugrana
5 min read
The relationship between FIFA and Donald Trump is under scrutiny once again. After the New York Times exposed in June an alleged exchange of favors between the U.S. president and Gianni Infantino, French outlet Le Monde now puts a number on the deal: football's world governing body leased a 450-square-meter office on the 17th floor of Trump Tower in 2025 for $3.19 million. The space remains largely unoccupied.
- FIFA agreed in June 2025 to pay $3.19 million to Trump Tower for a 450-square-meter space.
- The contract was signed in May 2025 by four board members, with secretary general Mattias Grafström at the top.
- No FIFA staff are assigned to the premises and most employees were unaware of the agreement.
- The lease ties FIFA to the tower until late 2032, more than six years after the 2026 World Cup.
- Several administration members expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest.
A $3.19 million contract on the 17th floor of Trump Tower
The documents accessed by Le Monde lay out the terms of the agreement. FIFA committed to paying the New York-based company, chaired by Eric Trump and owner of the building, the sum of $3.19 million starting in June 2025. The leased space occupies the 17th floor of the iconic skyscraper and, according to the French publication, remains mostly empty.
The contract bears the signatures of four board members, with secretary general Mattias Grafström of Sweden at the top of the document. The deal was closed without the organization visiting other locations or competing with other companies before choosing Trump Tower as its representative office, a different process from the one FIFA had followed in Miami.
An office with no staff and a deal unknown to the workforce
One of the most striking findings in the investigation is that no FIFA staff are assigned to the premises. In addition, most of the organization's employees were unaware of the agreement involving the Trump Tower annex, the same building where Gianni Infantino keeps his office.
The lack of workers and the internal unawareness of the contract reinforce the idea that the office serves a symbolic or representational function rather than an operational one. The space remains tied to the Trump name during a period of high international exposure for football, with the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on the horizon.
A lease running until 2032 with strict exit terms
The contractual link between FIFA and Trump Tower extends until late 2032, more than six years after the 2026 World Cup. If the organization wanted to terminate the lease, it could only do so after a period of five years and seven months from the date it took effect.
Early termination would also require 12 months' notice and payment of an amount equivalent to six months of rent, according to the documents reviewed by the French outlet. These are conditions that lock in the agreement for a significant period and make any quick exit difficult.
Internal concern over a possible conflict of interest
In light of these facts, several FIFA administration members reportedly voiced concerns about the office lease. Sources cited by Le Monde point to a possible conflict of interest and the fact that the process did not follow the organization's standard procedure.
The deal adds to the alleged exchange of favors between Infantino and Trump that the New York Times exposed in June. At the time, the American newspaper highlighted the closeness between the two leaders; now, the figures and contract terms bring new elements to that relationship, especially given the multimillion-dollar payment to a company directly linked to the U.S. president's family.
What the deal means for FIFA and the 2026 World Cup
The Trump Tower contract comes at a strategic time for FIFA, with the 2026 World Cup looming as the major event in North America. Choosing a representative office in New York linked to the Trump family adds a layer of controversy to the political and economic context surrounding the tournament.
The length of the lease, which extends more than six years beyond the World Cup, and the lack of staff at the premises raise questions about the actual purpose of the space and the reasons that led the organization to sign such a deal without exploring other options.
Frequently asked questions about the FIFA Trump Tower contract
Frequently asked questions
How much does FIFA pay for the Trump Tower office?
FIFA agreed to pay $3.19 million for a 450-square-meter space on the 17th floor of Trump Tower. The contract took effect in June 2025 and ties the organization to the building for seven years.
How long does the FIFA lease at Trump Tower last?
The lease runs until late 2032, more than six years after the 2026 World Cup. Early termination is only possible after five years and seven months, with 12 months' notice and a payment equal to six months of rent.
Why is FIFA's New York office considered a ghost office?
Because no FIFA staff are assigned to the premises and most employees were unaware of the agreement. The space remains largely vacant, which has raised doubts about its real purpose and a possible conflict of interest.