President Donald Trump has issued a strong statement to FIFA, cautioning against removing its current president, Gianni Infantino. On Truth Social, Trump expressed support for Infantino, who is facing backlash from international soccer authorities due to a controversial attempt to sell part of the men’s World Cup to private investors.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump stated. “He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”
Trump’s remarks highlight his focus on the financial successes associated with Infantino’s leadership. During meetings at the White House in March 2025 and a FIFA reception in July 2026 in New York, Trump emphasized the record-breaking success of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, where stadiums were filled and revenue records shattered.
Despite this success, Infantino faces internal challenges. His proposal for a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, which aimed to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights for $4.2 billion, was met with strong opposition from soccer leaders across Europe, Asia, and North America. The proposal was quickly abandoned after harsh criticism and accusations of undermining the sport’s value.
Major soccer organizations such as UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF have criticized Infantino, accusing him of deception and negligence. European leaders are even considering a boycott of FIFA events and are discussing potential alternative tournaments, which could jeopardize Infantino’s position before the upcoming election cycle.
Trump’s support for Infantino might be intensifying the ongoing controversy. Infantino’s close ties with the former U.S. President could influence the dynamics within FIFA. Whether Infantino will withstand the current challenges remains uncertain, but Trump’s stance is clear — he warns that removing Infantino could have severe financial consequences for FIFA.
Leave a Reply