Trump warns FIFA against ousting Infantino amid governance crisis
Donald Trump has intervened in the escalating political fracture within international football, stating that replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino would be a “terrible mistake” following a joint condemnation from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC.
US President Donald Trump has publicly intervened in the ongoing governance crisis at FIFA, warning the global football governing body that it would make a “terrible mistake” by replacing President Gianni Infantino. The intervention underscores the deepening political fracture within international football as allegations against the president’s leadership intensify.
Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump described Infantino as “fantastic” and claimed he “presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.” Trump, who attended the World Cup final with Infantino last month and received a “FIFA Peace Prize” at the draw ceremony last year, added that the organisation would not be as successful or profitable if the Swiss president were removed.
Trump’s comments mark the first time he has spoken in Infantino’s defence since the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plans were leaked on July 28. The proposal involved creating a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, with 21 per cent of shares to be sold to a private investment group. The plan was rejected by major confederations who threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, calling it a “shabby, opaque, backroom deal”.
The US President’s endorsement stands in sharp contrast to a joint open letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, which accused Infantino of breaking trust “through deception”. The letter argued that leadership is not a possession and that Infantino had placed himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority. It further stated that under his leadership, there is “silence where there should be accountability” and “distance where there should be openness”.
Infantino, who has served as FIFA president for 10 years, is up for re-election in March 2027. While he retains support from CAF and CONMEBOL, and received “full support” from senior FIFA directors in an emergency meeting in Morocco last week, the three confederations dismissed this as meaningless. US Soccer and Canada Soccer have also called for governance reforms and transparency within FIFA.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is viewed as a potential challenger to Infantino, with candidates needing to be declared by November 18. Individual member associations, not confederations, vote in the FIFA election. The crisis follows the largest ever World Cup involving 48 teams, which Infantino oversaw in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but the open letter insisted that this progress was a shared achievement rather than the work of one individual.
