Donald Trump warns Fifa against replacing Gianni Infantino

US President Donald Trump has warned that Fifa would make a “terrible mistake” by considering the removal of president Gianni Infantino, amid growing pressure on the football governing body over its abandoned commercial plans.

Trump’s intervention came after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” over the proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The FFE plan would have involved the creation of a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights for all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup. Under the proposal, 21% of the company would have been sold to a private investment firm.

Trump’s latest comments represent his strongest public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28th July.

“Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain crowned champions after defeating Argentina in the final.

Trump previously addressed the FFE proposal on 31st July, saying he had not discussed the plans with Infantino.

Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investor group behind FFE. Kushner is the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of Infantino as football’s governing body faces questions over the proposed restructuring of its commercial operations.