Former President Donald Trump has delivered a pointed message to FIFA's leadership, cautioning that any move to replace its current president, Gianni Infantino, would be a profound error for the global soccer body.
Through a post on Truth Social, Trump voiced his support for Infantino, who is currently facing considerable opposition from international soccer officials following a contentious proposal to sell a portion of the men's World Cup commercial rights to private equity investors.
"FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino," Trump stated in his post. "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 assessment regarding the financial success of recent tournaments aligns with the record-breaking performance of the 2026 World Cup in America. That event garnered immense attendance and shattered revenue figures, reinforcing the notion that major sports spectacles in the United States often achieve unparalleled commercial success.
The Growing Internal Conflict
The former president's defense arrives as internal challenges for Infantino are reaching a critical point. The Swiss-Italian soccer chief ignited a significant controversy with his proposal for a commercial entity, dubbed FIFA Forward Enterprise. This initiative aimed to divest a 20% stake in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors, projecting a substantial $4.2 billion return.
However, the concept was met with widespread condemnation from powerful figures within the soccer world. Leaders across Europe, Asia, and North America rejected the deal, accusing Infantino of attempting to secretly offload the sport's most valuable assets. Although Infantino quickly withdrew the proposal and issued an apology, the momentum of the internal revolt had already begun.
Subsequently, major confederations including UEFA (Europe), the AFC (Asia), and CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean) publicly criticized the FIFA president. They accused him of deceit and dereliction of duty. European officials have even discussed the possibility of boycotting FIFA events, while behind-the-scenes discussions among executives reportedly involve planning rival tournaments, a move that could isolate Infantino before the next election cycle.
Trump's Influence and Infantino's Future
An additional dynamic in the ongoing power struggle is the relationship between Infantino and Donald Trump. Speculation exists as to whether Infantino's close ties with the former president might be further fueling the existing discontent among FIFA's constituents.
Trump, who consistently supported Infantino during the lead-up to and throughout the World Cup, clearly views the situation primarily through a financial lens, emphasizing the tournament's economic achievements.
Whether Infantino can navigate the numerous challenges and criticisms he currently faces remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Trump has unequivocally declared his support, sending a clear warning to FIFA that removing Infantino could carry a substantial financial cost.
