Trump enters FIFA power struggle as Infantino faces mounting revolt
Trump’s public backing of Gianni Infantino has intensified a governance crisis at FIFA as UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF increase pressure on the president over his abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup commercial operation.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing escalating pressure from major football confederations after UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF accused his leadership of breaking institutional trust over an abandoned World Cup investment proposal.The dispute centres on plans to establish FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have controlled commercial and operational activities around FIFA tournaments, with approximately 20% potentially sold to private investors. Infantino subsequently withdrew the proposal and apologised.US president Donald Trump said: “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino.“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!”Trump’s intervention places the commercial future of FIFA at the centre of an increasingly political leadership dispute, with Infantino retaining support from several influential member associations despite growing opposition elsewhere.UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF have issued a joint letter accusing FIFA’s leadership of a “fundamental breach of trust” and arguing that the proposed World Cup transaction represented more than a procedural error.The three confederations said trust had been broken “through deception” and questioned the accountability surrounding the proposed transaction, increasing pressure on Infantino to leave his position.UEFA has also maintained its threat to boycott FIFA competitions, saying the conditions required to reverse its position have not been met. That stance could affect European participation in upcoming FIFA tournaments if the dispute remains unresolved.The FA has withdrawn its support for Infantino, while Norway has publicly called for his resignation. US Soccer and Canada Soccer have also joined calls for stronger governance, transparency and accountability at FIFA.Infantino retains significant backing elsewhere. CAF has unanimously reconfirmed its support, while Mexico, Argentina, Qatar, Egypt and Morocco have also backed the FIFA president.FIFA has rejected attempts to remove Infantino outside its established electoral processes, accusing critics of pursuing a coordinated effort to undermine the organisation and its president.The confrontation leaves FIFA facing a significant institutional split between major confederations at a time when the governing body is seeking to maximise the commercial value of its expanding tournament portfolio.European non-participation would create direct consequences for broadcast, sponsorship and tournament value, making resolution of the governance dispute increasingly important to FIFA’s wider commercial strategy.