— President Donald Trump has intervened forcefully in FIFA’s escalating leadership crisis, warning the world football governing body that removing Gianni Infantino as president would be a “terrible mistake” that could trigger severe financial consequences for the organisation.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump threw his full weight behind the embattled Swiss-Italian football chief, who faces mounting pressure to step dow ahead of next March’s presidential election in Rabat, Morocco.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing Presiden Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote. “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! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT”.
The president’s defence of Infantino comes at a moment of unprecedented turmoil for FIFA, with three of its six confederations — UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF — having issued a blistering open letter on Monday attacking Infantino’s leadership. The confederations, which together represent 136 of FIFA’s 211 member associations, accused Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” and “placing himself above the collective”.
Failed investment scheme sparks revolt
The crisis was ignited by Infantino’s now-abandoned proposal to create a commercial entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would have sold a roughly 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights to private investors for a $4.2 billion payday. The plan, which valued the enterprise at $20 billion, was first revealed through media leaks and implemented without consulting member associations.
Infantino quickly scrapped the proposal and apologised, but the revolt had already gathered momentum. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, while several national associations — including Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Wales — have publicly withdrawn their support for his re-election bid.
Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness has called for Infantino’s resignation, stating he no longer has the institutional trust needed to govern FIFA.
A friendship forged in controversy
Trump and Infantino have cultivated a close relationship over several years, first meeting in 2018 when Infantino reportedly brought red and yellow football cards to the Oval Office, joking they “could be useful” for Trump in dealing with the media. The bond strengthened during preparations for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington — a gesture that many critics condemned as deeply embarrassing for football. The pair appeared together on stage to hand Spain their World Cup victory medals, further fuelling accusations that Infantino had “cozied up” to the US president.
The relationship has also drawn scrutiny over potential financial entanglements. Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was reportedly among the potential investors in the now-abandoned World Cup stake sale. Trump has denied any prior knowledge of Infantino’s plan.
A divided football family
Despite the fierce opposition from Europe, Asia and North America, Infantino retains significant support. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unanimously backed his leadership, while South American governing body CONMEBOL has rejected any attempt to remove him outside of a formal vote by all FIFA members.
Mexico, Argentina, Qatar, Paraguay, Morocco and Egypt have also voiced their backing for the FIFA president.
FIFA itself has defended Infantino, describing the backlash as “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the organisation and its president. In a statement on Saturday, FIFA said it would “not support, facilitate or tolerate any process concerning the election of the FIFA President that is inconsistent with FIFA’s Statutes”.
What lies ahead
Infantino, who has spent a decade at the helm of FIFA, is seeking a fourth and final four-year term. The presidential election is scheduled for March 18 next year at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, where he would need 106 votes from the 211 member associations to secure re-election. No clear challenger has yet emerged.
Trump’s intervention — warning of financial doom should Infantino be ousted — adds an extraordinary political dimension to a contest that was once considered a foregone conclusion. The US president’s support comes despite US Soccer having joined Canada Soccer and football organisations in Central America and the Caribbean in backing the call for “meaningful change” at FIFA.
Whether Trump’s endorsement will prove decisive — or further inflame Infantino’s critics — remains to be seen. But the US president has made his position unmistakably clear: in his view, Infantino and FIFA’s financial fortunes are inextricably linked.
