Trump Warns Against FIFA’s Boss Removal

US President Donald Trump says it would be a “terrible mistake” to remove Fifa President Gianni Infantino from his position.

Trump’s comments come after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) accused Infantino of breaking their trust “through deception” over his now-abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan.

The FFE proposal involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup. Under the plan, 21% of the company would have been sold to a private investment firm.

Trump’s comments are the first time he has publicly defended Infantino since the FFE plan became known on 28 July.

“Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico this summer, with Spain crowned champions after beating Argentina in the final.

When addressing the FFE proposals for the first time on 31 July, Trump said he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans.

Thrive Eternal was expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE.

Thrive is an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared.

Infantino has a close relationship with Trump and awarded him the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025.

European football’s governing body Uefa has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions, as well as saying it could take legal action over the failed FFE plans.

The letter issued by Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC – the three confederations representing Europe, North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and Asia – came after Fifa said there was a “concerted and ongoing effort” to “undermine” world football’s governing body and Infantino.

BBC Sport understands that there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions, should Infantino remain in his position. However, substantive talks are yet to begin, according to others.

“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual place himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the letter from Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC read.

While the statement did not name Infantino, sources have told BBC Sport that it should be seen as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.

Source: BBC Sports