Donald Trump supports Gianni Infantino amid FIFA pressure
Donald Trump has delivered a major public show of support for Gianni Infantino, warning FIFA it would be making a “terrible mistake” by removing its embattled president as the revolt against his leadership intensifies, reports BritPanorama.
The US president has expressed his endorsement for Infantino following days of increasing pressure on the 56-year-old, whose position has faced unprecedented scrutiny after his controversial plan to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors collapsed.
Trump’s intervention comes after UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation issued a remarkable joint letter questioning FIFA’s leadership and accusing an unnamed individual of breaking the trust of football’s governing institutions “through deception”.
Writing on social media, Trump made clear his belief that Infantino should remain in charge. “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” he stated on Truth Social. He described Infantino as “fantastic,” noting his role in presiding over the most successful World Cup ever held, claiming, “If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”
This marks Trump’s strongest intervention in the crisis since details emerged last month regarding the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The scheme aimed to create a new company responsible for major commercial assets connected to FIFA competitions, including broadcasting, sponsorship, licensing, and ticketing rights. Under the plan, a 21% stake was set to be sold to private investors, leading to widespread opposition from football authorities globally.
Infantino eventually abandoned the proposal following the backlash, but this decision has not alleviated the pressure surrounding his presidency. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and has even raised the possibility of legal action, while several national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino. England and Wales are notably among those distancing themselves from his leadership amid growing calls for accountability regarding how the abandoned project was developed.
The latest joint intervention from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC has heightened the scrutiny on Infantino. Their open letter contended that the controversy extended beyond communication failures, reflecting deeper issues of governance and judgment. “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” they remarked.
Trump’s backing holds particular significance due to his close relationship with Infantino, with the pair frequently seen together during the 2026 World Cup, which culminated in Spain defeating Argentina. Moreover, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025. While Trump previously stated he had not discussed the controversial investment proposals with Infantino when first questioned, his latest remarks represent a decisive turn towards supporting the FIFA president amid the ongoing turmoil.
The world of football continues to watch closely as this saga unfolds, illustrating how even the highest echelons of sport can be fraught with controversy and intrigue.
