US President Donald Trump has expressed his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that it would be “a terrible mistake” to replace him amid ongoing criticism. Infantino has faced backlash for attempting to sell a portion of the World Cup to private investors, a plan that ultimately failed.

Infantino Under Fire

Infantino's leadership has come under scrutiny following an open letter signed by three football confederations: UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC. The letter accuses Infantino of breaking trust “through deception.” Despite this, Trump has publicly defended Infantino, who previously awarded him a “FIFA Peace Prize” during the World Cup draw ceremony last year. Trump described Infantino as “fantastic” and claimed he has overseen “the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.”

Opposition and Future Prospects

While Trump stands by Infantino, US Soccer has joined the chorus of voices calling for his resignation. Infantino's controversial plan to attract private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, faced significant backlash, leading to its withdrawal. In response to the criticism, FIFA has pushed back against efforts to undermine both the organization and Infantino.

As Infantino prepares for a potential re-election for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027, he has received support from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). However, the situation remains tense, with CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani emerging as a possible challenger. Candidates for the upcoming election must be declared by November 18.