Donald Trump has issued a strong public endorsement of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, posting on Truth Social that the global football governing body would be making a terrible mistake if it even considered replacing him.
In the message, Trump described Infantino as fantastic, emphasizing that he had just overseen the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented, and warning that if Infantino were removed, FIFA will never be as successful or profitable again.
The intervention arrives at a moment of acute vulnerability for Infantino. In late July 2026, details emerged of his ambitious but ultimately aborted proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new commercial subsidiary that would have controlled broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, licensing and other rights to FIFA competitions, including future World Cups.
Under the plan, roughly 20 to 21 percent of the entity would have been sold to private investors, with Thrive Eternal—an investment group led by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner—positioned as a leading participant.
The initiative triggered widespread outrage across the football world, prompting accusations that Infantino had sought to privatize core assets of the nonprofit organization without adequate transparency or consultation. Faced with the backlash, Infantino withdrew the plan and issued an apology, yet the damage to his standing proved lasting.
Within days, Europe’s UEFA, North and Central America’s CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation jointly issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust through deception. The confederations demanded a change in leadership and an independent review of the episode.
Some European officials and national association figures have gone further, suggesting that Infantino should resign with dignity rather than seek re-election at the next FIFA Congress in March 2027, while exploratory talks have even touched on the possibility of alternative competitions outside FIFA’s structure. British and Canadian political leaders have also weighed in critically.
At the same time, Infantino retains pockets of support: the Confederation of African Football has publicly backed him on behalf of its 54 members, and several South American associations along with Mexico have signaled continued loyalty. FIFA itself has framed the criticism as part of a coordinated campaign to undermine both the organization and its president.
Trump’s defense of Infantino is rooted in a well-documented personal and political relationship that intensified in the years leading up to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025 during a ceremony in Washington, a decision that drew international mockery but underscored their alignment. Trump later helped present the trophy to Spain after their victory over Argentina in the final in New Jersey, and the two men have maintained regular contact.
The U.S. president has repeatedly praised the commercial and organizational success of the expanded 48-team tournament, which generated record revenues and global audiences. By framing Infantino’s continued leadership as essential to preserving that success, Trump has inserted himself directly into the internal power struggle at football’s highest level.
The episode highlights the unusual intersection of American presidential politics and the governance of world football. Critics argue that the involvement of a Kushner-linked investment vehicle in the failed commercial spin-off only deepened suspicions of favoritism and conflicts of interest.
Supporters of Infantino counter that his tenure has delivered unprecedented financial growth and that removing him now would destabilize the organization just as it capitalizes on the momentum of a landmark World Cup.
