Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - President Donald Trump has warned FIFA that replacing president Gianni Infantino would be a “terrible mistake,” throwing his public support behind the embattled football chief as pressure builds for leadership change.
Trump praised Infantino and argued that FIFA’s success and profitability could suffer if he were removed.
The intervention comes as Infantino faces growing criticism following a controversial plan involving the sale of stakes in major FIFA competitions to private investors. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf have expressed serious concerns, with UEFA saying it has lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership.
The dispute has intensified ahead of FIFA’s next presidential election, increasing uncertainty around the organization’s future direction.
Trump’s intervention adds a major political dimension to an already heated FIFA leadership battle. With the 2026 World Cup having just concluded and FIFA facing pressure over its commercial and governance decisions, Infantino’s position is becoming a closely watched issue far beyond football.
The coming months could determine whether FIFA maintains its current leadership or enters a major power struggle over its future.
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