Trump warns FIFA against removing Gianni Infantino

President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to caution FIFA against any move to replace its president, Gianni Infantino. Trump said the organization would be making a mistake and that Infantino had overseen a highly profitable 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 tournament, hosted across the United States, set new revenue records, according to the administration’s statements. The financial performance is being used by Trump to argue that Infantino’s leadership should continue.

Infantino’s proposal to sell a 20% stake in World Cup commercial rights to private-equity investors sparked criticism from several continental soccer bodies, including UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF. After the proposal was withdrawn and an apology issued, some officials have called for a boycott of FIFA events and discussed alternative competitions.

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

The dispute highlights tensions between FIFA’s leadership and member associations over commercial strategies and governance, with the upcoming FIFA election adding further uncertainty.