FIFA President Gianni Infantino Denies Seeking Trump Backing Amid Leadership Crisis
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has denied reports that he sought political backing from United States President Donald Trump to safeguard his position amid mounting criticism of his leadership.
The allegations, first published by the New York Post, claimed Infantino attempted to contact Trump and arrange a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after his controversial proposal to sell a stake in FIFA World Cup commercial rights to private investors collapsed. The plan faced strong opposition from UEFA and several continental football bodies before being abandoned.
FIFA described the reports of any planned meetings or political outreach as “completely false.” US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson also denied any scheduled contact between Infantino and Rubio, stating on social media platform X that there is no call planned for this morning.
Despite those denials, scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership continues ahead of the next FIFA Congress, with several European football associations openly questioning his future. Supporters, however, insist he remains focused on developing football worldwide.
Pressure increased after the Football Association of Wales and the English Football Association withdrew their backing for Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president.
The FAW, which had previously indicated its support for Infantino before details of the proposal became public, confirmed on Monday that it had changed its position. In a statement, the FAW said:
The recent failures in good governance, processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a position where Mr Infantino has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.
Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failure we cannot accept.
The English FA has also formally informed FIFA that it no longer supports Infantino’s re‑election, echoing UEFA’s view that confidence in the FIFA president has been damaged by the handling of the failed commercial proposal.
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter, and is currently seeking a fourth term in office.
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