Trump Backs Infantino Amid FIFA Leadership Turmoil

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly thrown his weight behind embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino, even as pressure mounts on the soccer executive to resign following a controversial proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino has faced intense criticism since proposing FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a subsidiary concept that would have bundled the men’s and women’s World Cups alongside their respective Club World Cups. With roughly 20% of FFE valued at $4 billion earmarked for private investors—including Thrive Eternal, the holding company led by venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared is Trump’s son-in-law—the plan was quickly scrapped. Nevertheless, Infantino now faces unprecedented pressure to step down after nearly a decade of unchallenged leadership at FIFA.

“Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday. “He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”

Infantino has long been a figure within Trump’s orbit, a relationship that has drawn its own share of controversy. During a 2025 FIFA Congress meeting in Asuncion, Paraguay, several members walked out after Infantino arrived several hours late, having opted to participate in Trump’s Middle East tour. His decision to award Trump the newly instituted FIFA Peace Prize last December also drew condemnation. Furthermore, Trump’s claim that he influenced FIFA’s decision to make U.S. men’s national team forward Folarin Balogun available for the summer’s World Cup round of 16 defeat to Belgium—despite Balogun’s red card in a prior match—continues to shadow Infantino as his leadership faces scrutiny.

Trump’s remarks follow the latest condemnation from UEFA, Concacaf, and AFC—the governing bodies of Europe, North America, and Asia—who accused Infantino of a “fundamental breach of trust” regarding the FFE proposal, which was conceived without the knowledge of most high-ranking officials. The three bodies implied they would welcome Infantino’s resignation ahead of March’s presidential election at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco.

Infantino’s future at FIFA in question

The extent of Trump’s influence on Infantino’s re-election campaign remains unclear, with the vote slated for March at the FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco. Since Trump does not hold a vote—the constituency comprises leaders of FIFA’s 210 eligible member associations, including U.S. Soccer—the outcome depends on that broad body.

U.S. Soccer has not yet publicly called for Infantino’s resignation, though it backed Concacaf’s recent statement while advocating for “meaningful change that strengthens FIFA’s governance, transparency and accountability.” U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson indicated the federation’s official position will be deliberated at next month’s board meeting, a body largely composed of American soccer executives.

Trump’s potential involvement in the FIFA presidential election technically risks violating FIFA’s statutes, which explicitly require member associations to remain independent and avoid political interference. FIFA has applied this rule inconsistently: U.S. Soccer has avoided punishment despite Trump’s claim regarding the Balogun affair, yet the federations of Nepal, Pakistan, and the Republic of the Congo were recently suspended for third-party interference. Nepal remains banned and will not vote in March’s FIFA Congress.

Infantino’s critics appear unmoved by U.S. input. While Concacaf and the AFC count a few breakaway nations, UEFA’s unanimous bloc combined with the other continents totals 127 votes against Infantino’s re-election—exceeding the 106 needed for a simple majority.

Infantino remains the sole candidate, though Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is reportedly considering a bid. Candidates must enter by Nov. 18.

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