Trump Backs Beleaguered FIFA President Infantino Amid Confederation Criticism

U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly endorsed FIFA President Gianni Infantino, warning that replacing him would be a "terrible mistake." Trump, who received a "FIFA Peace Prize" from Infantino last year, praised the FIFA leader on Truth Social, calling him "fantastic" and crediting him with the "most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented." He asserted that FIFA's success and profitability would decline without Infantino.

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FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino.

However, Trump's backing contrasts with the stance of U.S. Soccer, which has joined other voices critical of Infantino. The FIFA president recently withdrew a controversial plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, after facing significant backlash. FIFA responded to these efforts by stating they aimed "to undermine" the organization and Infantino.

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If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!

Despite this, a joint letter from Europe's UEFA, North and Central America's CONCACAF, and Asia's AFC accused Infantino of breaking trust "through deception." They argued that "Leadership in football is not a possession" and that Infantino had abandoned his duty by placing himself above the collective. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is seen as a potential challenger for Infantino's re-election in March 2027, for which candidates must declare by November 18.

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Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding -- or demanding -- power to be held.

Infantino, who has led FIFA for 10 years, had appeared set for an unopposed fourth term after overseeing the successful World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. While he has received support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the South American body CONMEBOL, and some individual member associations, the recent joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC highlights a significant rift. UEFA had previously labeled Infantino's private investment plan a "shabby, opaque, backroom deal" and criticized his "failure of judgment."

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When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.