US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that it would be 'a terrible mistake' for FIFA to consider removing president Gianni Infantino, whose aborted plan to sell off part of FIFA's commercial operations to private investors drew a joint open letter from three football confederations — UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation — accusing him of breaking trust 'through deception.'
Trump Backs Infantino as Three Confederations Demand FIFA Leadership Accountability
US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that it would be 'a terrible mistake' for FIFA to consider removing president Gianni Infantino, whose aborted plan to sell off part of FIFA's commercial operations to private investors drew a joint open letter from three football confederations — UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation — accusing him of breaking trust 'through deception.'
Trump posted his support on social media, writing that Infantino 'is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented,' and warning that 'if he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.' According to Al Jazeera, Trump attended the World Cup final with Infantino last month, and Infantino had previously awarded Trump a 'FIFA Peace Prize' at the World Cup draw ceremony.
According to BBC News, the privatisation proposal — known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) — would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including World Cups, with 21 per cent sold to a private investment company. Infantino subsequently withdrew the plan.
The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament expanding to 48 teams. According to BBC News, Spain were crowned champions after beating Argentina in the final.
The joint letter from UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC stated: 'When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.' The letter also said that Infantino's receipt of 'full support' from senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco the previous week 'represents a continuation of the very pattern of conduct that brought us to this moment.'
According to Al Jazeera, UEFA had previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, if the private investment plan proceeded — a threat described as pivotal in Infantino withdrawing the proposal. UEFA had characterised the original plan as 'a shabby, opaque, backroom deal' and on Monday cited a 'failure of judgement.'
According to Al Jazeera, Trump's position conflicts with that of US Soccer, which joined the confederations in opposing Infantino. FIFA had responded on Saturday to what it described as efforts 'to undermine' the governing body and its president.
According to Al Jazeera, Infantino — a 56-year-old Swiss national who has led FIFA for ten years — faces re-election for a fourth and final term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027, with candidates required to declare by 18 November. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is identified by Al Jazeera as a potential challenger. The Confederation of African Football has backed Infantino, and South American governing body CONMEBOL is described as largely supportive. Individual member associations, not confederations, cast votes in FIFA elections. According to Al Jazeera, Infantino has received backing from CONCACAF member Mexico and AFC members Kuwait and Qatar.
- Infantino has not been quoted directly responding to the joint confederation letter or to Trump's public statement.
- No source confirms whether any formal election challenge against Infantino has been declared.
- The identity of the private investment company that would have acquired the 21 per cent stake under the FFE proposal is not established by either source.
- The full list of signatories to the joint confederation letter, beyond the three confederations named, is not provided.
- US Soccer's specific statement or position is referenced by Al Jazeera but not quoted or detailed.
- The outcome of the emergency FIFA Management Committee meeting in Morocco — beyond a statement of 'full support' — is not elaborated upon.
- Al Jazeera English — original
- BBC News — by Mandeep Sanghera
Read the original at Al Jazeera English