Former President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to FIFA, cautioning the global soccer organization against replacing its current president, Gianni Infantino. Trump, who used his social media platform Truth Social to voice his support, described Infantino as "fantastic" and credited him with overseeing the most successful World Cup ever presented.
"FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump posted. "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 comments come as Infantino faces internal challenges within FIFA. A proposal for a commercial entity, dubbed FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have sold a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion, ignited a significant backlash. Leaders from European, Asian, and North American soccer organizations reportedly rejected the deal, accusing Infantino of attempting to sell off key commercial rights without proper consultation. Infantino subsequently scrapped the proposal and issued an apology, but the dissent persisted.
Reports indicate that UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF have criticized Infantino, with some European officials even floating the possibility of boycotting FIFA events. Discussions have also emerged behind closed doors regarding the potential for rival tournaments that could sideline Infantino before the next FIFA election cycle.
Infantino has had a relationship with Trump, including participation in events related to the FIFA World Cup. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been noted for its record-breaking revenue and attendance figures.
Whether Infantino will weather the current internal revolt remains uncertain. Trump's public intervention suggests a potential cost for FIFA should they decide to remove him. The former president's stance appears to be framed by the financial success of recent World Cup events, particularly in the United States, where he has been a vocal proponent of large-scale sporting events. The situation highlights the complex political landscape within international soccer governance and the potential influence of external figures.