Trump defends Infantino as FIFA president, warns against his removal

US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino as pressure mounts on the football chief following a controversial private investment proposal.

Trump said on Monday that FIFA would make “a terrible mistake” by considering Infantino’s removal, describing the Swiss official as “fantastic” and praising his leadership of the 2026 World Cup.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The US president also claimed that Infantino had overseen the most successful World Cup in history and warned that the tournament would not be as successful or profitable without him.

Trump's support comes despite growing opposition to Infantino from several major football bodies, including US Soccer.

Why is Infantino facing criticism from FIFA's confederations?

Infantino's position has come under significant pressure after UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) jointly accused him of undermining trust within football's governing structure.

In an open letter, the three confederations criticised what they described as a pattern of secrecy and a concentration of power around FIFA's leadership.

They argued that football's leadership should serve the collective interests of the sport rather than the ambitions of an individual.

The dispute intensified after Infantino proposed bringing private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. The plan was eventually withdrawn following fierce opposition.

FIFA has defended its leadership and accused critics of attempting to weaken the organisation.

What happened to Infantino's private investment plan?

Infantino's proposal to attract private investors into FIFA competitions became a major source of tension between FIFA and the confederations.

UEFA strongly opposed the plan, describing it as an opaque arrangement and even threatening to boycott future World Cups if the proposal went ahead.

The pressure ultimately contributed to Infantino abandoning the initiative.

UEFA later accused him of a serious failure of judgment, while the joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC questioned whether recent internal discussions represented genuine accountability.

The three bodies said an emergency meeting in Morocco, where Infantino received support from senior FIFA officials, did not address their concerns.

Who could challenge Infantino in the next FIFA election?

Infantino is expected to seek a fourth and final term as FIFA president at the organisation's Congress in March 2027.

One potential challenger is CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, although the election picture remains fluid. Candidates must formally declare their intentions by November 18.

Infantino initially appeared almost certain to face no serious opposition after FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup was widely viewed as a success.

He continues to have support from the Confederation of African Football, while South America's CONMEBOL is also broadly supportive.

However, FIFA's presidential election is decided by individual member associations rather than confederations, making the final outcome difficult to predict.

Can Infantino overcome the growing opposition?

Infantino still has influential supporters, including Mexico and AFC members Kuwait and Qatar. However, the latest dispute has exposed a widening divide within global football.

The three confederations stressed that the sport's recent growth was not the achievement of one person, but the result of cooperation between FIFA, continental bodies, national associations and countless people working across the game.

Their message was clear: football's future depends on collective decision-making and trust.

With the 2027 FIFA election approaching, Infantino now faces a significant political challenge. Trump's public endorsement provides him with powerful backing, but opposition from three major confederations could make his path to a fourth term far more complicated than it appeared just months ago.