Trump Backs Embattled FIFA President Infantino Amid World Cup Privatization Row

In a fresh intervention, former US President Donald Trump has publicly backed embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling any move to replace him a 'terrible mistake'. Trump praised Infantino's leadership, specifically highlighting the recent FIFA World Cup as 'the most successful… by four times, ever presented,' on his social media platform, Truth Social. This strong endorsement comes as Infantino faces growing pressure and calls for his resignation from major football confederations, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, following his controversial, and now abandoned, plan to sell a significant stake in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors. The immediate stakes are high for Infantino, who announced in April 2026 his intention to seek re-election for a fourth and final term in March 2027. His critics, accusing him of 'deception' and a lack of consultation over the privatization scheme, are exploring new governance frameworks and even threatening boycotts of FIFA tournaments. This internal power struggle is further complicated by Trump's close relationship with Infantino, who awarded the US President a 'FIFA Peace Prize' last year, and previous controversies like the alleged intervention by Trump in the Folarin Balogun red-card suspension during the 2026 World Cup. As the March 2027 FIFA Congress approaches, the football world will be watching closely to see if the growing opposition can mount a credible challenge against Infantino, despite the fact that over 200 of FIFA 211 member associations have already endorsed his re-election. Potential challengers like Victor Montagliani, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and Lise Klaveness are being discussed. The ongoing rift highlights deeper questions about FIFA governance, transparency, and the future direction of global football, with the possibility of a fragmented international football landscape if a resolution isn't found.