Nicolai Haugsted
Trump steps into football’s biggest power struggle with bold statement.
Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling it a “terrible mistake” to consider replacing him as criticism of football’s governing body continues to intensify.
The U.S. president’s intervention comes as several continental football confederations accuse FIFA of betraying the sport’s trust over plans to bring private investors into the FIFA World Cup.
Trump praises Infantino
In a post published on Truth Social, Trump defended Infantino’s leadership and credited him with overseeing what he described as an unprecedented World Cup success.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino.”
Trump continued by arguing that FIFA’s recent commercial success was closely tied to Infantino’s leadership.
“If he is gone, it will never be successful or profitable again!”
The controversy centers on FIFA’s reported proposal to establish a new $20 billion company ahead of the 2030 World Cup and sell stakes to private investors. Reports have identified Josh Kushner’s investment firm as leading the proposed deal.
Critics argue the move places commercial interests ahead of football’s traditions and raises broader questions about how the sport is governed.
Football leaders accuse FIFA of breaking trust
Trump’s endorsement arrived shortly after football governing bodies representing Europe, North and Central America, the Caribbean and Asia issued a joint statement criticizing FIFA’s leadership.
The organizations accused the governing body of committing a “fundamental breach of trust” and questioned its handling of the proposed investment structure.
Their statement argued that football belongs to supporters, clubs and member associations rather than any single individual or institution.
“This is about something more fundamental than money: the integrity of the game, and the integrity of those elected to lead it.”
The confederations acknowledged FIFA’s apology for what it described as communication failures but argued the issue extended far beyond messaging.
According to the statement, the proposal itself represented a serious error in judgment rather than merely a procedural mistake. The organizations also criticized what they described as a lack of accountability and transparency, calling for leadership that serves football rather than attempts to control it.
The dispute has added fresh pressure on FIFA as preparations continue for the 2030 World Cup, with questions surrounding both the governing body’s leadership and its long-term commercial strategy.
