US President Donald Trump has publicly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that removing him from his position would constitute “a terrible mistake.” This marks the first instance of Trump voicing support for the embattled football executive since controversial World Cup privatisation proposals became public on July 28.
Infantino faces mounting pressure from multiple continental football confederations, which released a joint statement accusing him of undermining trust through deceptive practices. UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC have all expressed concerns about his leadership and governance approach, with UEFA specifically threatening to boycott FIFA tournaments if the privatisation scheme proceeded.
Trump’s endorsement stands in sharp contrast to positions adopted by other stakeholders, including US Soccer. The president praised Infantino as “fantastic” and credited him with overseeing the most successful World Cup tournament in history. Trump noted that the FIFA official previously awarded him a “FIFA Peace Prize” at last year’s World Cup draw ceremony.
Infantino initially proposed allowing private investment into FIFA competitions before withdrawing the plan following widespread criticism. As he prepares for potential re-election as FIFA president in March 2027, the Swiss official has secured backing from the African confederation and some support from South American and Asian football bodies, despite the confederation-level opposition.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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