Donald Trump has jumped into a growing power struggle at the top of world soccer, throwing his support behind FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino as leading football groups push for reforms. His involvement brings a surprising political twist to a dispute over FIFA’s finances, competitions and ties with its member associations.
Donald Trump says replacing the FIFA president would be a “terrible mistake”
The U.S. president used Truth Social Monday night to defend Gianni Infantino, arguing that FIFA would lose both momentum and financial strength without him. Trump praised Infantino’s record and delivered a blunt message to those considering a change at the top saying “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake” by replacing him.
The support comes as Infantino faces criticism over a proposal involving FIFA Forward Enterprise, a planned company that would manage commercial and operational parts of FIFA competitions. The proposal included the possibility of selling roughly 20% of the new business to private investors. Infantino later apologized after the plan triggered a backlash among football authorities (via ESPN).
Three major confederations namely UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation escalated the dispute Monday. In a joint open letter addressed to the wider football community, they called the handling of the proposal a “fundamental breach of trust” and demanded an independent examination of what happened.
The groups argued that FIFA pushed the idea too quickly and without giving member associations enough opportunity to examine it. They also insisted that the World Cup cannot become an asset controlled for the benefit of a select few, stressing that the tournament belongs to the broader football community. The letter called it “world’s greatest shared passion.”
U.S. Soccer separately backed Concacaf’s position. Alongside Canada Soccer, the Caribbean Football Union and Central American Football Union, it called for stronger FIFA governance, greater transparency and more accountability. UEFA has also warned that its members could still consider boycotting FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
Infantino has led FIFA since winning the presidency in February 2016. He currently holds office through 2027 and has already declared his intention to seek another term that would keep him in charge until 2031.
