United States ‘to press’ FIFA to follow IOC policy on transgender athletes | OneFootball

The United States are pressuring FIFA, led by Gianni Infantino, to mirror the IOC’s stance on transgender participation in women’s football, with the White House seeking a policy that would bar transgender athletes from professional women’s football competitions, The Athletic reports.

Announced as candidates to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, they have held back on finalising their bid. Donald Trump has yet to give approval, and FIFA has postponed a decision originally set for 30 April.

The delay has been linked to Trump’s wish to limit transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sport, including training and competition.

The IOC signed a decree in February 2025, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”, intended to prevent athletes from competing in women’s sport unless assigned female at birth. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee revised its eligibility rules in July 2025.

In March, the IOC announced mandatory genetic testing to prevent transgender athletes from taking part in women’s events. It said the step would protect fairness, safety and integrity, and the rules will apply at Los Angeles 2028. They should prevent some transgender athletes or those with differences of sex development from competing.

Source: L'Équipe