Trump defends Infantino amid growing revolt at FIFA

US President Donald Trump warned football's world governing body, FIFA, against making a "grave mistake" if it considered removing Gianni Infantino from the presidency of the organization.

What Trump said

Trump wrote: "FIFA would make a grave mistake if it even considered, for any reason whatsoever, for a single moment, replacing its president Infantino," adding: "He's terrific, having just overseen the most successful World Cup ever, by a factor of 4."

Mounting pressure on Infantino

Infantino faces mounting pressure after his plan to sell stakes in the men's World Cup to private investors fell through. An open letter signed by the presidents of UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF called on FIFA to carry out an independent review of the plan, without naming the FIFA president directly. FIFA had already renewed its confidence in Infantino after a crisis meeting held in Rabat.

Key facts

• Trump warned that removing Infantino would be a "grave mistake" for FIFA. Here are the leading candidates to succeed him should that change.
• The US president praised Infantino's oversight of the 2026 World Cup, after the African confederation reaffirmed its backing for him within FIFA.
• Infantino is under pressure after his plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors collapsed.
• An open letter from the presidents of UEFA, the AFC and CONCACAF called for an independent review of the plan.