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FIFA raises questions by shying away from anti-racism, anti-discrimination campaigns during Club World Cup

FIFA is raising questions from fans after deciding not to use any of its anti-racism and anti-discrimination videos, signage and marketing assets during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.

The competition began across the U.S. this week, but the football governing body has not used the platform to challenge all forms of discrimination, as they have formerly done across all competitions. The Athletic's Adam Crafton reported that FIFA developed anti-racism and anti-discrimination campaign materials for the tournament, which have not been seen in the opening games.

The campaigns have been quiet on social media since the competition started. FIFA has also not made its anti-racism protocol announcements in stadiums or performed the "universal anti-racism" gesture, which was to be applied to all competitions after its initial announcement in September.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA heavily advocated for inclusion in several avenues, including captains' armbands, in-stadium announcements and on-screen at game venues.

In 2022, FIFA kept several teams from wearing 'OneLove' armbands as it was said to challenge homophobia, while Qatar criminalizes same-sex marriage. Among the slogans permitted during the World Cup were: No Discrimination, Save the Planet, Protect Children, End Hunger, Education for All and Be Active.

In the first days of this year's club competition, the only visible signage has been "Football Unites the World" on captains' armbands and a "Be Active" dance cam in partnership with the World Health Organization.

FIFA is yet to comment on the decision, and its reasons for the change remain unknown.

The controversial decision notably comes as FIFA President Gianni Infantino developed a relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. Infantino attended a pre-inauguration rally, was at Trump's inauguration and brought the Club World Cup trophy to the Oval Office during a White House Visit.

According to The Athletic, FIFA did not respond when asked if their decision was influenced by the political climate in the United States, which has experienced nationwide rallies combating mass deportation. The association referred to its statutes, which state that FIFA will "remain neutral in matters of politics."

In May, Infantino called for policymakers and global legislators to impose criminal policies on those violating FIFA's anti-racism and anti-discrimination efforts.

"FIFA's Global Stand Against Racism called for the football world to take action, to educate, to raise awareness and, when necessary, to punish," Infantino said. "Racism and discrimination — they are not just wrong, they are crimes."

A FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic, "FIFA has a firm, zero-tolerance stance against all forms of discrimination and racism.

"This commitment was recently reinforced through the unanimous approval by the FIFA Council of the revised FIFA Disciplinary Code, which introduces new measures to fight racist abuse - including increased minimum bans for racist incidents and enhanced financial penalties as duly informed to the 75th FIFA Congress in Asuncion in May 2025."

The spokesperson added that FIFA's "three-step anti-discrimination procedure" will be implemented if incidents occur during the Club World Cup.

FIFA is set to hold the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

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