US President Donald Trump has come to the support of his close associate, FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He cautioned the global football authority against making changes to Infantino’s position, labeling any such action as a ‘grave error.’
Event Context
Gianni Infantino has faced significant backlash following the failure of his proposed sale of a stake in FIFA’s commercial division related to the men’s World Cup. This plan met opposition from three confederations, leading to its demise.
The initiative intended to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE)—a company that would manage the commercial and operational elements of FIFA’s tournaments, with a potential 20% stake available for private investors.
The resulting controversy prompted calls for Infantino’s resignation as FIFA president.
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account, cautioning that Infantino’s removal could harm FIFA’s interests. Trump stated, “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup ever presented. If he is gone, it will not achieve the same level of success or profitability again!”
The most vocal opposition came from UEFA, which held a virtual meeting with its 55 member associations after FIFA set a September 19 deadline for acceptance of the proposal. UEFA threatened to boycott the World Cup if the plan proceeded.
Both the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Concacaf, responsible for football in the Caribbean, North America, and Central America, also expressed their discontent, accusing Infantino of “deception.”
With tensions rising, the proposal was ultimately abandoned. In the aftermath, Infantino issued an apology following a crisis meeting in Morocco, where FIFA’s senior officials reiterated their support for his leadership.
Nevertheless, UEFA continues to oppose Infantino, asserting that his apology and the withdrawal of the proposal do not adequately resolve their concerns.
Trump’s intervention is not unprecedented. Recent reports from The Telegraph indicate that he has been actively supporting Infantino’s presidency after the FIFA head reached out to the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to secure his position.
Trump and Infantino first met in 2018, but their relationship has strengthened in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Infantino has openly fostered this relationship, even presenting Trump with a personalized gold trophy and medal during a World Cup draw ceremony. Additionally, in December, Trump received FIFA’s “Peace Prize.”
