US President Donald Trump has defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino against mounting pressure to resign, calling his removal a 'terrible mistake' as major football confederations demand accountability over a failed commercial restructuring plan.
Donald Trump has publicly supported FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that removing him would constitute a grave error for the global football governing body. Trump's endorsement came after UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation issued a joint statement criticising Infantino for breaking trust through what they described as deceptive practices. The three confederations did not explicitly name Infantino in their letter but sources indicate it was intended as an opportunity for him to resign with dignity.
The controversy centres on the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have established a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including World Cups. Under the plan, 21 percent of the entity would have been sold to a private investment firm. The proposed investor group was to be led by Thrive Eternal, a venture capital company founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared.
Trump highlighted the commercial success of recent World Cups under Infantino's leadership, claiming the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was the most successful ever. The US Soccer Federation, however, has called for meaningful change within FIFA, suggesting internal disagreement over Infantino's stewardship. Meanwhile, BBC Sport reports preliminary discussions have occurred among the three confederations regarding potential breakaway competitions if Infantino remains in office, though substantive negotiations have not yet commenced.
Analysts note the timing of Trump's support is significant, arriving only after major confederations escalated pressure on Infantino. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and pursue legal action over the failed commercial scheme. Trump's backing, while potentially welcomed privately, may offer limited practical assistance in securing broader support within international football, particularly given concerns that his support stems partly from personal connections to the investment group behind the failed proposal.
