Event
US President Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, warning that removing him would be a "terrible mistake". Infantino faces intense pressure from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC following the collapse of a plan to sell stakes in the men's World Cup to private investors. These confederations have condemned the proposal as a breach of trust and threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. Meanwhile, US Soccer and Canada Soccer have called for governance reforms, and FIFA has accused critics of undermining the president through unsubstantiated allegations.
2 published stories · donald-trump · source reliability 50%
Donald Trump has publicly backed Gianni Infantino, declaring his removal a “terrible mistake”, as FIFA faces intense pressure from UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC over a collapsed World Cup stake sale and allegations concerning the president’s past conduct.
Background
US President Donald Trump has publicly supported FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that removing him would be a "terrible mistake". This intervention follows intense pressure from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, which have condemned a collapsed proposal to sell stakes in the men's World Cup to private investors as a "fundamental breach of trust". These confederations have threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, while US Soccer and Canada Soccer have called for governance reforms. Concurrently, FIFA has defended Infantino against allegations regarding a departure payment made to a former employee during his tenure at UEFA, dismissing the claims as unsubstantiated.
US President Donald Trump has publicly supported FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that removing him would be a "terrible mistake". This intervention follows intense pressure from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, which have condemned a collapsed proposal to sell stakes in the
Fact cards
Key entities: Gianni Infantino, FIFA, Donald Trump, UEFA, CONCACAF, AFC, US Soccer, Canada Soccer.
2009–2016: Gianni Infantino serves as UEFA general secretary Recent: FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal to sell World Cup stakes to private investors collapses after rejection by UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC Recent: UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC sign an open letter criticising Infantino
Timeline
Gianni Infantino serves as UEFA general secretary
FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal to sell World Cup stakes to private investors collapses after rejection by UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC
UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC sign an open letter criticising Infantino and threatening a boycott of FIFA competitions
US Soccer and Canada Soccer call for governance reforms and transparency within FIFA
The Daily Telegraph reports on a six-figure departure payment made to a female employee by Infantino while at UEFA
UEFA confirms the departure payment was made but states it complied with regulations
FIFA issues a statement defending Infantino against what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to undermine his leadership
US President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social backing Infantino and warning against his removal