Former President Donald Trump has taken to his Truth Social platform to issue a stark warning to the world governing body of football, FIFA, about the potential fallout of removing its current president, Gianni Infantino. In a post published early on Tuesday, Trump described the prospect of ousting Infantino as a "terrible mistake" that would have far‑reaching financial and reputational consequences for the sport's global administrator. Trump’s message was unequivocal.
He praised Infantino for overseeing what he called "the most successful World Cup ever staged, by a factor of four," and suggested that any move to replace the Swiss‑based official would jeopardise the tournament’s profitability and prestige. "If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!" the former U.S.
president wrote, emphasizing his belief that Infantino’s leadership was integral to the recent financial boom surrounding the competition. The controversy surrounding Infantino stems from a proposal he advanced earlier this year to commercialise a portion of the men’s World Cup.
The plan, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), envisaged selling roughly twenty percent of the tournament’s commercial rights to private investors. While the idea was marketed as a way to generate additional revenue for the sport’s development, it quickly ran into opposition from several of FIFA’s continental confederations. UEFA (the European federation), CONCACAF (covering North and Central America and the Caribbean) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) all issued a joint open letter on Monday condemning what they termed a "fundamental breach of trust" by Infantino. The three‑page document did not name Infantino directly, but its language made clear it was aimed at a leader who had "abandoned their duty" by attempting to sell a stake in the World Cup.
The letter described the proposal as a "profound failure of judgment" and dismissed any claim that the plan was merely a procedural misstep. The backlash was not limited to the confederations. National associations that co‑hosted the 2026 World Cup—namely U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer—also called for substantive reforms within FIFA.
In a joint statement, the two federations, together with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and the Central American Football Union (UNCAF), urged the governing body to enhance its governance, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. Amid these criticisms, FIFA itself accused a "concerted and ongoing effort" by certain parties to undermine both the organisation and its president.
The federation’s response highlighted that allegations and speculation should not be presented as fact, and warned that unfounded claims could distract from FIFA’s core mission of promoting and developing football worldwide. The statement underscored Infantino’s three‑decade career in European and global football, noting his contributions to expanding access and resources across the sport.
The dispute also resurfaced past controversies involving Infantino’s tenure at UEFA. Earlier this week, UEFA confirmed that it had made a "departure payment" to a former female employee who alleged a romantic relationship with Infantino when he served as the European body’s general secretary. Reports indicated that the payment included a six‑figure sum and covered tuition for an MBA program, a settlement the federation described as compliant with the regulations in place at the time.
While FIFA’s latest statement did not directly reference this settlement, it framed the broader criticism as an attempt to weaken Infantino’s authority without following due democratic processes. Beyond the political and financial dimensions, the episode reflects a deeper tension within football’s governance structure. The sport’s massive global audience and multi‑billion‑dollar revenue streams have increasingly attracted scrutiny over how decisions are made and who benefits from them. Critics argue that selling a slice of the World Cup could set a precedent for further commercialisation, potentially eroding the sport’s traditional values and its accessibility to fans worldwide.
Supporters of Infantino, however, point to the record‑breaking viewership and sponsorship deals achieved under his leadership. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, for example, generated unprecedented broadcasting revenues and attracted new corporate partners, reinforcing the argument that a strong, business‑savvy president is essential for maintaining football’s growth trajectory. Trump’s intervention, while unexpected, adds a new layer to the debate. By publicly endorsing Infantino, the former U.S.
president aligns himself with the view that stability at the top of FIFA is crucial for preserving the sport’s commercial success. Whether his comments will influence any future governance decisions remains uncertain, but they underscore how football’s leadership can become a flashpoint for broader political and economic interests. As the situation develops, the football community will be watching closely to see whether FIFA will adjust its governance model, retain Infantino, or consider alternative leadership pathways. The outcome will likely have lasting implications not only for the organisation’s internal dynamics but also for the commercial landscape of the beautiful game on a global scale.