Trump defends Gianni Infantino, calls any removal a "terrible mistake"
Trump said removing Gianni Infantino would be a "terrible mistake" as FIFA faces criticism from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation over a commercial plan.
US President Donald Trump publicly defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Tuesday, saying it would be a "terrible mistake" for the organisation to remove him amid mounting pressure from several continental federations. Trump praised Infantino's role in organizing the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and warned that the tournament's success and profitability would suffer without him.
Background to the dispute
The intervention from Trump follows a joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that accuses Infantino of breaching trust through "deception." The continental bodies demanded answers after FIFA proposed a business plan that would reshape how the governing body manages its commercial operations.
At the centre of the controversy is FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a proposed new company intended to handle FIFA's commercial and marketing rights, including those for the World Cup. Under the FFE plan, a portion of the new company would be sold to a private investment fund — a move that triggered concern among several member associations and now the public rebuke from UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC.
Trump used social media to voice his support: "FIFA would make a terrible mistake if it considered replacing president Gianni Infantino for any reason. He is fantastic," he wrote. He added that "Without him, the World Cup will never again be as successful and profitable."
FIFA has not announced any decision to remove Infantino; the organisation faces a governance and reputational challenge as its commercial plans and internal management come under scrutiny from powerful regional confederations. The dispute raises questions about the future structure of FIFA's commercial rights and the role of private investors in elite international football.
The developments also underscore how geopolitical and commercial interests intersect in football governance ahead of and after major events such as the 2026 World Cup, when revenues and broadcast arrangements are at stake. The story remains dynamic as federations and FIFA negotiate next steps.
Photo: press material from the event
