Donald Trump has waded into the escalating crisis at Fifa by publicly backing Gianni Infantino, warning that removing the organisation’s president would be a “terrible mistake.” In a post on Truth Social, the former US president framed Infantino as the architect of the most commercially successful World Cups in history, positioning himself as a defender of the embattled leader amid a growing revolt within football’s governing bodies.
The World Cup sell-off plan that sparked a rebellion
Infantino’s proposal to create Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), a company designed to commercialise and partially privatise the commercial and operational aspects of Fifa tournaments, has drawn fierce criticism. The plan, which would have seen around 20% of FFE sold to private investors, was met with immediate backlash from Uefa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Concacaf. The three confederations accused Infantino of “deception,” arguing in an open letter that leadership in football is a “duty of service” rather than a “possession.”
The letter, signed by the heads of Uefa, AFC, and Concacaf, did not name Infantino directly but made clear their demand for an independent review of the scheme. Their intervention signals a rare coordinated challenge to Fifa’s authority, with Uefa previously threatening a boycott of Fifa competitions in response to the controversy. The timing is critical, as Infantino’s current term expires in March next year, and the confederations appear to be seeking his resignation without forcing a public dismissal. The AFC’s statement specifically cited concerns over “transparency and accountability,” while Concacaf’s president, Victor Montagliani, emphasised that the confederation’s priority was “protecting the integrity of the game.”
Trump’s intervention: a political lifeline for Infantino
Trump’s intervention on Truth Social framed Infantino as indispensable, arguing that his departure would jeopardise the profitability and prestige of future World Cups. “Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” he wrote. “He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” The post, published early on Tuesday, underscores the unusual alliance between the former US president and the Fifa president, who have both cultivated reputations for defying conventional wisdom in their respective domains.
The timing of Trump’s statement is significant. With Infantino facing pressure to step down, the public endorsement from a high-profile figure like Trump could shore up support among Fifa’s member associations, many of which are in regions where Trump retains influence—particularly in North America and parts of Africa, where his political rhetoric has resonated in recent years. It also highlights the political dimensions of the crisis, as Infantino navigates a rebellion led by Europe’s most powerful football body while relying on external allies to bolster his position. Notably, Trump’s post came just days after Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin reiterated his call for “structural reform” at Fifa, further illustrating the widening rift between the confederation and Infantino’s leadership.
What comes next: resignation, review, or resistance?
The confederations’ strategy appears to prioritise Infantino’s dignified exit over a prolonged power struggle. While they have accused him of deception, their preference for a voluntary resignation suggests they are wary of triggering a full-blown institutional crisis. An independent review of the FFE plan would provide a formal mechanism to scrutinise Infantino’s conduct without immediately removing him, though it risks prolonging the uncertainty that has already overshadowed Fifa’s governance. The review, if approved, would be conducted by a panel of external experts, with terms of reference yet to be finalised—a process that could take months to complete.
Infantino’s apology for the FFE proposal has done little to quell the dissent. The open letter from Uefa, AFC, and Concacaf frames the issue as a matter of trust, arguing that Infantino’s actions have “broken” the collective trust placed in him. For Infantino, the path forward may depend on whether he can persuade enough Fifa members that the FFE plan was a misstep rather than a fundamental breach of duty. Alternatively, the confederations may push for his early departure, calculating that the political cost of retaining him outweighs the disruption of a transition. Already, rumours are circulating in Zurich that some Fifa council members are exploring a “soft coup” scenario, where Infantino is encouraged to step aside before the March election to avoid a humiliating defeat.
The March election looms as the next flashpoint. If Infantino chooses to stand again, the confederations’ opposition could crystallise into a coordinated campaign to block his re-election. If he steps aside, the race to succeed him would likely become a contest between reformist candidates—such as Portugal’s Fernando Gomes, a former Fifa executive committee member—and those aligned with the status quo. Either way, the fallout from the FFE debacle has exposed deep fractures within Fifa’s leadership structure, with Infantino’s future hanging in the balance. The confederations’ demand for an independent review has also raised questions about whether Fifa’s ethics committee, which has historically been criticised for its lack of independence, will be bypassed entirely in favour of an external process.
For now, Trump’s endorsement has given Infantino a temporary reprieve, but the confederations’ demand for an independent review suggests the crisis is far from over. The coming weeks will determine whether Infantino can regain control of the narrative or whether the football world’s governing body will enter a period of prolonged instability. One thing is clear: the FFE plan has not just failed—it has ignited a power struggle that could reshape Fifa for years to come, with the confederations’ united front signalling that Infantino’s authority is no longer absolute.
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