US President Donald Trump has issued a rare statement on FIFA’s under-fire leader Gianni Infantino.
European football’s governing body UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) are pushing for Infantino to resign, per The Guardian, after writing an open letter calling for “leadership that serves football, not seeks to command it”.
Infantino, FIFA’s president since 2016, is under significant pressure following his failed Football Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme – which would have seen stakes in the World Cup sold to private investors had the plan not been thwarted.
Andy Burnham Blasts Infantino’s World Cup Sell-Off Plan
A Telegraph investigation also alleges Infantino paid off a ‘mistress’ with a six-figure sum of money while he was working as UEFA’s general secretary. The Swiss-Italian administrator “strongly denies these categorically untrue allegations,” a FIFA spokesman has said.
However, the allegations may prompt UEFA to launch an investigation into Infantino’s conduct throughout the entirely of his 16 years with the organisation, according to the Telegraph.
FIFA issued a statement on Saturday evening defending Infantino, adding: “FIFA welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress. Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, FIFA will challenge it directly and vigorously.”
Trump Issues Strong Infantino Statement Via Truth Social
Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino
REUTERS/Leah Millis
Infantino has now received public support from Trump, who warns FIFA will be “making a terrible mistake” if they consider replacing their current president.
The US President says the World Cup “will never be as successful or profitable again” if Infantino leaves his role. The full statement, posted on Truth Social, from the 80-year-old reads:
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.”
Trump and Infantino Have Developed Close Bond
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup trophy presentation
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Infantino developed a close bond with Trump in the build up to the 2026 World Cup finals.
It was Infantino who controversially handed Trump FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December. Months later, during the 2026 World Cup, FIFA sparked outrage by suspending USMNT forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension, following a red card, after Trump personally intervened.
Trump and Infantino handed the FIFA World Cup trophy to captain Rodri after Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
And it’s been reported that Trump has lined up a lucrative new job for Infantino as secretary-general of the United Nations.
But for now, Trump is throwing his support behind Infantino as he clings to his $6 million-per-year (£4.5 million) job as FIFA president.
