University of Tennessee officials on Monday welcomed one of the most influential people in sports to campus to discuss the role of the school's renowned turfgrass management program will have in 2026 FIFA World Cup next year.

It’s no secret Trump is an ardent supporter of FIFA, soccer’s world governing body. Trump is considered a close friend of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose fervor for him has been in the public eye since Trump won the United States presidential election in November. Infantino was one of the first to congratulate Trump on social media.