Trump ready to fight for Infantino as FIFA revolt grows over failed World Cup plan

Donald Trump is prepared to do everything he can to keep Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, according to a senior US official close to both men, as opposition to the governing body’s leadership grows following the collapse of a controversial $15bn plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial assets.

The proposal to bring private investors into the ownership of World Cup-related commercial interests has triggered one of the biggest crises of Infantino’s presidency. A number of continental and national football associations are reconsidering their support for him, while a broad alliance is being formed to challenge his position.

Sources told The Telegraph that Trump, who has developed a close relationship with Infantino, wants him to remain in charge. Infantino is facing increasing calls to resign after the plan collapsed amid widespread anger across world football.

Reports on Monday said Infantino was preparing to hold talks with members of the Trump administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an effort to strengthen his position within FIFA. FIFA and the US State Department quickly denied those reports.

However, a senior US official with close ties to Trump and Infantino told The Telegraph that the US president had developed considerable respect for the FIFA president because of the role he played in organising what the official described as “the best World Cup ever” in the United States.

“He has helped us so much in delivering the best World Cup ever. The president is very fond of him, and I am sure he will do everything he can to help him,” the official said.

“I don’t think the president will change his opinion of him. He is a very loyal person. Gianni helped the United States get the World Cup, and we appreciate that very much.”

The relationship between Trump and Infantino has attracted scrutiny during preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Trump revealed during the tournament that he had asked Infantino to intervene to lift the suspension of Folarin Balogun before the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium.

Before the current crisis, there had also been reports that Trump wanted to nominate Infantino for the position of next United Nations secretary-general, despite his repeated criticism of the international organisation and his view that it no longer fulfils the purpose for which it was created.

Trump and Infantino first met in August 2018. During that meeting, the FIFA president gave Trump two yellow cards and a red card as a joke, suggesting they might help him deal with the media.

Their relationship has since grown significantly. At the draw for the 2026 World Cup in December last year, Infantino presented Trump with a gold trophy bearing his name and placed a medal around his neck.

Trump was also awarded the FIFA Peace Prize in December, shortly after failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has openly said he wanted to receive.

The New York Post reported that Infantino attempted to contact Trump after the World Cup commercialisation plan collapsed but was unable to reach him. Asked about the proposal on Friday, Trump said he had not discussed the matter with the FIFA president.

Paolo Zampolli, the special envoy for global partnerships, defended Infantino’s record. He said it did not suggest an attempt to protect a “closed club” made up of football’s wealthiest institutions, but instead showed a genuine effort to expand the game and give more countries, communities and children the chance to benefit from it.

“He listened to the concerns and withdrew the proposal, and that is what real leaders do. The debate now should focus on how football’s wealth and opportunities can be distributed among all 211 member associations, rather than remaining in the hands of a few,” Zampolli said.

Opposition gathers

The Football Association is playing a central role in efforts to build an international coalition against Infantino, working with UEFA as it increases contact with football associations in Africa and Asia.

The Telegraph says the Football Association has already withdrawn its support for Infantino and was preparing to inform him formally. Its opposition is linked to the plan to sell World Cup stakes to investors, some of whom had connections to Trump.

Africa and Asia together account for 100 national associations entitled to vote, representing almost half of FIFA’s Congress. Their position could therefore prove decisive in any attempt to remove Infantino. No association from either continent has publicly called for his departure, although Morocco, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Lebanon have declared their support for him.

The Confederation of African Football has not opposed the idea of selling World Cup stakes, saying only that it would study the proposal. The Asian Football Confederation rejected the plan but stopped short of calling for Infantino to be removed.

Time is a crucial factor for Infantino’s opponents. A formal no-confidence motion requires advance notice that can extend to three months, giving him an opportunity to try to rebuild support within FIFA’s Congress.

At an emergency UEFA meeting on Thursday, FA chair and FIFA vice-president Debbie Hewitt, together with several members of the FIFA Council, said they had not been aware of the proposed World Cup sale.

Less than 24 hours later, Infantino withdrew the plan in full after an unprecedented wave of opposition.

UEFA led the revolt, saying all 55 European associations were prepared to boycott global competitions if Infantino went ahead. Laura McAllister, the former Wales captain and a UEFA vice-president, was the first to raise the possibility of a boycott during the emergency meeting.

The Football Association of Wales has since announced that it is withdrawing its support for Infantino’s bid for another term, covering 2027 to 2031.

Its statement said recent failures in governance, working methods, leadership, values, stakeholder relations, communication and judgement had led it to lose confidence in Infantino’s ability to continue leading world football.

It added that failing to put the interests of the game above any other considerations was unacceptable.

UEFA on Saturday criticised what it called “secret schemes prepared in haste, devised by unknown people and providing questionable benefits for football”, adding that it was working on a plan to prevent similar incidents in future.

The Football Association said it fully supported UEFA’s position and called for a comprehensive and robust review of FIFA’s leadership and governance system. It said the review should ensure that world football was managed transparently and in the interests of all member associations, while establishing long-term principles of good governance.

The football associations of the Netherlands, Germany, Norway and Sweden have also joined the Football Association in opposing Infantino’s continued leadership of FIFA.