President Trump "discussed improving equality in women's soccer during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House," marking the "first time Trump publicly acknowledged he is engaged in efforts to address disparities in pay and resources between men's and women's soccer," according to Brett Samuels of THE HILL. Trump yesterday said, "Gianni and I just had a meeting on women's soccer and what everybody's going to do to make that even better and more equitable, etc." Infantino promised FIFA "would soon unveil 'some new initiatives' to boost the women's game." Trump had also recently "hosted Infantino for a meeting at his Bedminster, N.J., golf club" (THEHILL.com, 9/9). Infantino after the meeting said he is hoping to make the '26 World Cup the "biggest social event" ever. He said, "It's fantastic to be here and to boost even more soccer in this country -- soccer which is the No. 1 global sport. World Cup 2026, taking place here but we start already now. It's the biggest event ever. It's more than four billion viewers all around the world and we will make it the biggest not only sports event but the biggest social event that we can think of" (ESPN.com, 9/10).
