Donald Trump, former president of the United States, came to the defense of Gianni Infantino, current president of FIFA, at a time of strong opposition to the failed plan to sell World Cup rights to external investors. The statement was made on August 11, 2026.
Through his own platform, Truth Social, the Republican politician announced that it would be a “terrible mistake” for football’s highest governing body to consider replacing its current director.
“FIFA would make a terrible mistake if, for any reason, it contemplated, even for a moment, replacing its president, Gianni Infantino,” Trump declared verbatim.
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“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup of all time, four times more successful than the previous one. If he leaves, it will never be as successful or profitable again!”, added the former president.
Donald Trump’s words came shortly after a new and intense campaign orchestrated by confederations against Gianni Infantino’s leadership of FIFA.
Uefa, Concacaf and AFC released a joint letter with scathing criticism of the way in which the Swiss leader has led the institution in recent months, increasing pressure for his departure from office.
The statement, signed by six leaders of important entities, accuses Infantino of trying to deceive members of FIFA and continental confederations through a “fraud”, resulting in a “breach of trust” and questioning his continued position as head of the global football association.
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“Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about retaining or demanding that power be maintained. It is a duty to serve the football family that places its trust in that leadership. When that trust is broken through fraud, when an individual places himself above the collective that has entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the three confederations wrote.
“The strength of football has always been its unity. We call for this unity to be honored now, in favor of a leadership that serves football, and not seeks to command it”, added the Confederations, clearly suggesting that FIFA needs a change at its top, implying Infantino’s resignation.
The joint correspondence from UEFA, AFC and Concacaf also made further accusations about Infantino and FIFA’s “apology” relating to the cancellation of plans to “sell” the World Cup. They claim that the president never recognized the “serious failure of judgment” in his behind-the-scenes management of this process.
The same three confederations also vehemently criticized the recent “emergency meeting” organized by FIFA in Morocco, highlighting the absence of the majority of representatives from the associations that make up the organization.
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“FIFA’s own letter also confirms that only one elected official was present at the leadership meeting held in Morocco. No member of the FIFA Council or Member Associations was invited to participate. Only the Management Committee, made up of senior officials employed by FIFA, was present”, reported the confederations.
Gianni Infantino assumed the presidency of FIFA on February 26, 2016. His current term of office extends until 2027, and he has already expressed his intention to run for re-election to remain in the position until 2031.