US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the football chief faces mounting criticism over a failed private investment plan and allegations of a workplace affair.
Trump said FIFA would make a “terrible mistake” by replacing Infantino, who is due to seek re-election next March.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
He described the Italian-Swiss lawyer as “fantastic” and praised his leadership of the 2026 World Cup.
Trump added: “If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”
The US president’s intervention comes as pressure grows on Infantino following the collapse of FIFA’s proposed private investment scheme, which the governing body said could have raised up to $4.2bn.
FIFA investment plan sparks backlash
FIFA had proposed creating a commercial subsidiary, the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have been valued at about $20bn and potentially oversee major competitions including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
The proposal faced strong opposition, with critics questioning the plan to open FIFA’s flagship competitions to private investment.
FIFA later withdrew the proposal after mounting criticism, while its senior leadership acknowledged that “errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media”.
Infantino received the “full support” of FIFA’s senior directors following a crisis meeting in Morocco.
The governing body also apologised for the controversy and described the criticism as part of a “concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” FIFA.
Infantino has denied wrongdoing over the allegations surrounding his conduct.
US Soccer takes different position
Trump’s backing contrasts with the position of the US Soccer Federation, which joined Canada Soccer and football organisations across Central America and the Caribbean in criticising Infantino’s leadership.
Other major football bodies, including the Confederation of African Football and South America’s CONMEBOL, have backed the FIFA president.
The abandoned investment plan had been presented as a way to increase funding for FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Under the proposal, each association could have received a one-off $20m payment in early 2027, while funding for the 2027-30 cycle could have increased from $8m to $20m.
However, the proposal triggered fierce opposition, including from UEFA, which threatened to boycott the World Cup.
Infantino eventually withdrew the plan two weeks ago.
“Our purpose has always been — and will always be — to unite and improve,” he said.
With Infantino facing re-election next March, his continued leadership is likely to remain under scrutiny as FIFA attempts to move beyond the controversy.
