Trump Backs FIFA President Amid Criticism

US President Donald Trump has defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling it a “terrible mistake” to replace him. Despite criticism from three major football confederations—UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North and Central America), and AFC (Asia)—which accused Infantino of breaking trust through deceptive actions, Trump praised him as “fantastic” and highlighted the success of the World Cup under his leadership.

Infantino had proposed a plan to bring private investors into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, but faced intense backlash. This led him to withdraw the proposal after severe criticism. UEFA, among others, opposed the idea, calling it an opaque deal and criticizing Infantino’s judgment.

Despite this, senior FIFA directors backed Infantino in an emergency meeting in Morocco last week. However, the three confederations dismissed this as part of a pattern of conduct they believe has undermined trust in FIFA’s leadership.

The letter from the confederations emphasized that football’s strength lies in unity and that progress is a collective effort, not solely the result of one person’s work. They criticized Infantino for creating an environment lacking accountability and openness, leading them to take a stand against him.

Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, will face re-election in March 2027, with potential challengers emerging. His support remains strong from some regions, including Africa and parts of Asia, but he faces significant opposition from others.