US President Donald Trump has come out in support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling any attempt to replace him a 'terrible mistake'. Trump praised Infantino for overseeing what he claims was the most successful World Cup ever, and warned that removing him would harm the organization's future profitability.
This statement follows an open letter from three confederations – UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC – accusing Infantino of breaking trust 'through deception' and lacking transparency in football governance. The letter criticized Infantino's leadership style, claiming he places himself above the collective.
Trump, who attended the World Cup final with Infantino last month, took to Truth Social to express his support, calling Infantino 'fantastic' and asserting that the World Cup was 'four times' more successful under his leadership. He also stated that without Infantino, FIFA would never be as successful or profitable again.
However, the US Soccer Federation has joined the critics of Infantino. The controversy stems from Infantino's proposal to sell part of the World Cup to private investors, which he withdrew after widespread condemnation from UEFA and other bodies.
The three confederations argued that 'leadership in football is not a possession' and that Infantino has abandoned his duty by undermining the collective. They emphasized that football's strength lies in its unity, and that the recent emergency meeting in Morocco, where Infantino received support from senior FIFA directors, was meaningless.
Infantino is expected to run for a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027, with candidates needing to declare by November 18. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is seen as a potential challenger. Infantino has so far received backing from the African and South American confederations.
UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, if the private investment plan went ahead. This pressure forced Infantino to withdraw the plan, but the confederations remain unsatisfied, calling for greater accountability and openness in FIFA's leadership.
Source: www.aljazeera.com