US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind FIFA president Gianni Infantino, warning that football’s global governing body would be making “a terrible mistake” if it moved to replace him amid mounting allegations against the Italian-Swiss lawyer.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday, calling Infantino “fantastic” and crediting him with presiding over “the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.”
“If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” Trump added.
The intervention comes as Infantino faces intensifying pressure over allegations of a workplace affair and criticism of a failed attempt to sell off part of the World Cup to private investors. He has denied wrongdoing.
The pressure escalated further on Monday when an open letter signed by three of football’s continental confederations; Europe’s UEFA, North and Central America’s CONCACAF, and Asia’s AFC accused Infantino of breaking trust “through deception.” The letter stated: “Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding or demanding power to be held. When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
FIFA has stood by its president, describing the backlash as “a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine” the organization. The Confederation of African Football and South America’s CONMEBOL have also voiced support for Infantino, aligning with Trump’s position.
However, Trump’s backing stands in contrast to the response from US Soccer, which issued a statement critical of Infantino alongside Canada Soccer and football bodies across Central America and the Caribbean.
CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has emerged as a potential challenger to Infantino, who is seeking a fourth and final term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027. Candidates for the presidency must be declared by November 18.
Trump and Infantino have built a notably close relationship in recent years. The FIFA president awarded Trump the organization’s inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” at the World Cup draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in December 2025, a decision Infantino later defended despite criticism, telling Sky News that Trump “objectively… deserves it.”
Infantino had appeared set for an uncontested path to re-election before the recent allegations and the confederations’ joint letter reshaped the landscape ahead of next year’s FIFA Congress.
