Former U.S. 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 chief, Gianni Infantino. In a post published early on Tuesday, the former president described the prospect of dismissing Infantino as a "terrible mistake" that could jeopardize the organization’s financial health and global reputation. Trump’s message was unequivocal.
He praised Infantino for overseeing what he called the most successful World Cup in history, noting that the tournament had generated revenues four times larger than any previous edition. According to Trump, the president’s leadership had turned the World Cup into a lucrative, high‑profile event, and any attempt to replace him would likely diminish both the competition’s profitability and its worldwide appeal. The controversy surrounding Infantino stems from a plan he unveiled earlier this year to commercialise a portion of the men’s World Cup by creating a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). The proposal called for selling roughly 20 percent of the tournament’s commercial rights to private investors, a move that was intended to generate a substantial cash infusion for the sport’s governing body.
However, the initiative quickly ran into fierce opposition from several of FIFA’s continental confederations, including UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean) and the AFC (Asia). These bodies accused Infantino of deception and a fundamental breach of trust, arguing that the plan threatened the integrity of the sport and the principle that the World Cup should remain a public, not a private, asset. In a three‑page open letter addressed to the "football family," the three confederations condemned the proposal without naming Infantino directly.
They described the attempt to sell a stake in the World Cup as a "profound failure of judgment" and a "fundamental breach of trust" with the institutions that FIFA exists to serve. The letter also criticized a recent FIFA management committee meeting held in Morocco, which concluded with a public endorsement of Infantino, arguing that the meeting should have involved the broader senior leadership based in Switzerland. The backlash was not limited to the continental bodies.
Both U.S. Soccer and Canada Soccer – the two federations that co‑hosted the 2026 World Cup – issued statements calling for meaningful reforms to FIFA’s governance, transparency, and accountability. Their joint declaration emphasized the need for structural changes that would strengthen the organization’s oversight mechanisms and restore confidence among its 211 member associations.
Amid the mounting criticism, FIFA itself accused its detractors of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to undermine the president and the institution. In a robust response, FIFA warned that attempts to remove Infantino without following proper democratic procedures would be illegitimate. The organization highlighted Infantino’s three‑decade career in European and global football, noting his contributions to expanding access, resources, and opportunities across the sport. FIFA’s statement stressed that while change can challenge entrenched interests, it does not justify efforts to subvert the democratic mandate given to its president by the member associations.
The controversy also resurfaced old allegations concerning Infantino’s personal conduct during his tenure as UEFA’s general secretary. UEFA confirmed that a “departure payment” had been made to a female employee who was alleged to have had a relationship with Infantino. The payment, reportedly a six‑figure sum plus funding for an MBA program, was described by UEFA as being in line with the organization’s regulations at the time. This revelation added another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about Infantino’s suitability for the FIFA presidency.
Despite the turbulence, Infantino’s supporters argue that his vision for modernising football – including the creation of FFE – was aimed at unlocking new revenue streams that could be reinvested in grassroots development, women's football, and emerging markets. They contend that the proposed commercial partnership would have provided much‑needed financial stability, especially in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic, which severely impacted the sport’s revenue streams. Trump’s intervention, however, underscores how the leadership of global sport can become entangled with political narratives.
By framing Infantino’s potential removal as a “terrible mistake,” the former U.S. president aligned himself with a broader sentiment that values stability and profit in high‑profile sporting events. His comments also reflect a pattern of using social media platforms to influence public opinion on matters far beyond traditional political issues. The situation remains fluid.
UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC have signaled that they will continue to monitor FIFA’s actions closely, and they have not ruled out further measures, including possible boycotts of FIFA competitions, should the organization proceed with policies they deem detrimental to the sport’s integrity. Meanwhile, FIFA’s leadership has pledged to focus on its core mission: delivering a global game that is inclusive, transparent, and financially sustainable. As the debate unfolds, stakeholders across the football ecosystem – from national federations and continental confederations to sponsors, broadcasters, and fans – will be watching closely to see whether Infantino’s tenure can survive the combined pressures of internal dissent, external political commentary, and the ever‑evolving commercial landscape of modern sport. The outcome will likely shape the governance model of football for years to come, influencing how future presidents navigate the delicate balance between commercial ambition and the sport’s traditional values.