President Donald Trump publicly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday, warning that removing him would be a ‘terrible mistake’ amid growing international pressure for his resignation.
The warning came after FIFA’s abandoned plan to sell up to a 20% stake in a new subsidiary managing the World Cup and other tournaments sparked widespread criticism from soccer governing bodies worldwide. The proposal, which FIFA described as a commercialization effort, was abandoned following backlash from regional federations including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation.
FIFA’s leadership under Infantino has also faced scrutiny over the organization’s handling of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. While the tournament was the most commercially successful in FIFA history, disputes over refereeing decisions—including a controversial red-card reversal requested by Trump—have fueled further controversy.
FIFA Faces Internal and External Pressure
FIFA’s decision to abandon the subsidiary plan followed a joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, which accused Infantino of ‘breaking trust through deception’. The letter stated that the proposal represented ‘a fundamental breach of trust’ with the institutions FIFA serves.
Despite the backlash, several national federations—including those from Argentina, Mexico, and Qatar—have publicly supported Infantino’s continued leadership. FIFA has framed the criticism as part of ‘a concerted effort to undermine the organization and its president’.
The controversy coincides with the lead-up to FIFA’s next presidential election in March 2025, where Infantino’s future remains uncertain. The election will determine whether his leadership continues or if FIFA pursues a new direction.
Trump’s Public Support and Controversial Interventions
Trump’s endorsement of Infantino was delivered via a Truth Social post, where he praised the FIFA president for overseeing ‘the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented’. He added that ‘if he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.’
The U.S. president has also personally intervened in World Cup refereeing decisions, including a request to reverse a red-card foul against U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. FIFA complied with the request, a move that drew sharp criticism from UEFA, which called the decision ‘unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.’
Earlier this year, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’, citing his alleged role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire. The award ceremony, held at the Kennedy Center, was widely seen as a gesture to strengthen ties with the U.S. administration. Infantino has previously suggested that Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts.
Broader Implications for FIFA and Global Soccer
The dispute over Infantino’s leadership reflects deeper tensions within FIFA over commercialization, transparency, and governance. Critics argue that the abandoned subsidiary plan prioritized profit over the sport’s integrity, while supporters contend that Infantino’s leadership has driven record revenue and global expansion.
FIFA has defended its financial strategies, stating that the subsidiary was intended to ‘modernize revenue streams’ for future tournaments. However, the backlash highlights ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest and lack of accountability within the organization.
As FIFA prepares for its next election, the outcome could reshape the future of world soccer—whether toward greater commercialization or a return to traditional governance models.