Trump Warns FIFA Against Removing Infantino
US President Donald Trump has warned FIFA that replacing Gianni Infantino as president would be a “terrible mistake” amid growing criticism of the football governing body’s leadership.
Trump made the declaration while throwing his support behind Infantino, who has come under pressure following the collapse of plans for a proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The FFE proposal involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, with a 21 per cent stake reportedly earmarked for a private investment firm.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently accused Infantino of damaging trust through what they described as “deception” over the proposal.
However, Trump strongly defended the FIFA president, saying the governing body would regret any decision to remove him.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump said in a social media post.
“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.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain emerging as champions after defeating Argentina in the final.
Trump’s latest comments represent his strongest public defence of Infantino since the FFE plans became public on July 28.
Infantino maintains a close relationship with Trump and presented him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025.
The controversy surrounding the FFE proposal has escalated in recent weeks, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions and considering legal action over the failed plans.
The three confederations—UEFA, Concacaf and AFC—issued an open letter accusing FIFA of undermining trust, while FIFA has responded by claiming there is a coordinated effort to weaken the organisation and its president.
The proposed FFE investor group was expected to be led by Thrive Capital, the US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump made the declaration while throwing his support behind Infantino, who has come under pressure following the collapse of plans for a proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The FFE proposal involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, with a 21 per cent stake reportedly earmarked for a private investment firm.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently accused Infantino of damaging trust through what they described as “deception” over the proposal.
However, Trump strongly defended the FIFA president, saying the governing body would regret any decision to remove him.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump said in a social media post.
“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.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain emerging as champions after defeating Argentina in the final.
Trump’s latest comments represent his strongest public defence of Infantino since the FFE plans became public on July 28.
Infantino maintains a close relationship with Trump and presented him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025.
The controversy surrounding the FFE proposal has escalated in recent weeks, with UEFA threatening to boycott FIFA competitions and considering legal action over the failed plans.
The three confederations—UEFA, Concacaf and AFC—issued an open letter accusing FIFA of undermining trust, while FIFA has responded by claiming there is a coordinated effort to weaken the organisation and its president.
The proposed FFE investor group was expected to be led by Thrive Capital, the US venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
