Trump warns FIFA against replacing Infantino amid leadership crisis

'Terrible mistake': Donald Trump warns FIFA against replacing Infantino

US President Donald Trump has publicly backed embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino, warning that removing him from office would be a grave error as the football governing body's leadership crisis deepens over allegations of financial misconduct and breach of trust.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump described Infantino as 'fantastic' and credited him with overseeing what he characterised as the most successful World Cup in history. 'FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,' Trump stated. 'If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!'

Investment controversy sparks crisis

Trump's intervention comes as Infantino confronts one of the most serious challenges to his leadership since taking office in February 2016. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani co-signed an open letter accusing the FIFA chief of a 'fundamental breach of trust' over a controversial private investment proposal known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The abandoned plan would have sold approximately 20 percent of a new subsidiary controlling World Cup commercial rights to private investors for up to $20 billion, with Joshua Kushner's Thrive Capital identified as a prospective cornerstone investor. FIFA announced the scheme on July 28, 2026, but scrapped it just three days later on July 31 after fierce backlash from member associations, with Infantino acknowledging the project had 'created divisions' incompatible with FIFA's objectives.

The rapid reversal marked a stunning defeat for Infantino, who has also faced scrutiny over allegations of a workplace affair and questions about his management practices.

Record-breaking tournament success

Despite the turmoil, the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered unprecedented commercial and spectator success. The tournament generated over $15 billion in total revenue for the 2023-2026 commercial cycle, significantly exceeding initial projections of $11 billion. Ticket and hospitality sales alone surpassed $5 billion.

The first World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format, drew a cumulative stadium attendance of 6.8 million fans across 104 matches in 16 host cities spanning the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With 99.7 percent occupancy and an average of 65,490 spectators per match, the tournament set new records for both total and average attendance.

Political fallout and re-election prospects

The controversy has triggered concrete political consequences. Norway's football federation called for Infantino to step down, while the English Football Association and Welsh FA withdrew their support for his re-election following the private investment debacle. US Soccer joined Canada Soccer and football organisations from Central America and the Caribbean in criticising the FIFA president, contrasting sharply with Trump's endorsement.

Nevertheless, Infantino retains substantial backing. The Confederation of African Football and South American governing body CONMEBOL are among major football bodies supporting his continued leadership. More than 200 of FIFA's 211 member associations have reportedly signed letters of support for his re-election, well above the 106 votes required to win.

FIFA has defended its president, describing the criticism as part of a 'concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine' the organisation. Infantino has denied any wrongdoing and is scheduled to stand for re-election on March 18, 2027, at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, where he will seek a fourth and final term running through 2031.

First elected in 2016 after succeeding Sepp Blatter, who was banned amid a corruption scandal in 2015, Infantino was re-elected unopposed in both 2019 and 2023. Whether the current crisis will threaten that electoral dominance remains to be seen.