US President Donald Trump has waded into the growing controversy over FIFA president Gianni Infantino's future, declaring that removing him would be a
US President Donald Trump has waded into the growing controversy over FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s future, declaring that removing him would be a “terrible mistake.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said FIFA should not consider replacing Infantino, whom he described as an outstanding leader, crediting him with overseeing what he called the most successful World Cup in the tournament’s history.
Trump added that “if he is gone it will never be as successful or profitable again,” notably making no mention of the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise plan at the centre of the dispute.
Trump’s comments came after UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation jointly issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” over his aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights across FIFA competitions, including World Cups, with 21% sold to a private investment company.
The confederations’ letter also criticised Infantino for holding a crisis meeting last week in Morocco with only select members of FIFA’s management committee rather than addressing concerns from FIFA’s full leadership in Zurich, calling it “not the conduct of a custodian of the game, but of one who believes the game is answerable to him.”
The dispute comes ahead of FIFA’s presidential election scheduled for March 2027, when Infantino is seeking a fourth and final term; candidates must declare their intention to run by November 18, with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani seen as a possible challenger.
Infantino had appeared likely to secure another term without serious opposition following the successful staging of the World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada, but his position has come under mounting pressure since the investment plan controversy emerged.
He has secured support from the Confederation of African Football, while South America’s CONMEBOL remains broadly supportive, though the presidency is ultimately decided by individual member associations.
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