U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly rallied behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino as calls mount for the Swiss football chief to step down amid controversy over a proposed multi-billion-dollar sell-off of World Cup commercial rights.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump warned that removing Infantino from his post would be a "terrible mistake," praising him as "fantastic" and crediting him with overseeing what he called the most successful World Cup ever staged. "If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!" Trump wrote.
The endorsement comes as Infantino faces mounting criticism from football's governing bodies and several world leaders, including UEFA, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The backlash centers on Infantino's plan to establish a $20 billion subsidiary to oversee the World Cup and other FIFA competitions, with 20 percent of shares to be sold to outside investors. The proposal was ultimately scrapped after triggering fierce opposition.
UEFA, alongside CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, issued a joint open letter demanding an independent review of the plan, branding it a "profound failure of judgement." FIFA, in response, alleged that critics were attempting to "undermine" Infantino, who is due to stand for re-election in March. Not all nations have turned against him, however, with Mexico, Morocco and Argentina among those voicing continued support.
The alliance between Trump and Infantino dates back to 2018, shortly after both men secured their first terms in office. Infantino visited the White House following the United States' successful bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup, at one point jokingly presenting Trump with red and yellow penalty cards to use against journalists. Their relationship deepened over the years, including a dinner in Davos in 2020 and Infantino's attendance at the signing of the Abraham Accords later that year.
The bond strengthened further during Trump's second term as the 2026 World Cup approached. In December 2025, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, with FIFA citing the president's "pivotal role" in advancing peace between Israel and Palestine — an award that came just months after Venezuelan activist María Corina Machado was named the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Infantino also confirmed FIFA's commitment to building an academy and a 20,000-seat stadium in Gaza, telling Trump's Board of Peace, "We don't have to just rebuild houses or schools or hospitals or roads. We also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about."
During the tournament itself, the pair found themselves at the center of several controversies. Trump revealed he had personally phoned Infantino after American forward Folarin Balogun received a red card in a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. "I said, 'Gianni, I'd like to make a recommendation: Let the guy in the game,'" Trump recounted, before correcting himself: "No, I didn't say that. I said I'd like to lodge a complaint... I had no idea what was gonna happen." Balogun was subsequently cleared to play in the USA's next match against Belgium, which the Americans lost. Infantino maintained that the decision rested solely with FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee and judicial bodies, and that he had informed Trump that the matter would follow due legal process.
At the tournament's conclusion, Infantino was seen guiding Trump off the stage after the U.S. president lingered following Spain's final victory over Argentina. Reports also emerged in July suggesting Trump had floated the idea of Infantino becoming the next United Nations Secretary-General, with a White House source describing him as someone "respected by everyone around the world."
As Infantino prepares for his re-election bid, the FIFA presidency now finds itself at the center of a wider debate over governance, commercial interests, and the increasingly public alliance between football's top official and the American president.
Based on reporting from The Independent.