Donald Trump Backs FIFA President Gianni Infantino Amid Global Leadership Crisis
12 sources across 11 countries
Who reported this
- BBC News
- Financial Times
- Politico Europe
- Folha de S.Paulo
- La Tercera
- The Indian Express
- The Japan Times
- Malaysiakini
- NRC
- Dawn
- Neue Zuercher Zeitung
- CNN
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly declared that replacing FIFA President Gianni Infantino would be a terrible mistake. In posts on Truth Social and X, Trump called Infantino fantastic and argued that the organization would never be as successful or profitable again without him, citing the financial success of the most recent World Cup. This support comes as Infantino faces a severe leadership crisis following his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors through a structure called FIFA Forward Enterprise.
Three major continental confederations, including UEFA from Europe, CONCACAF from North and Central America, and the AFC from Asia, have issued a joint letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust through deception. The confederations stated that leadership in football is not a possession and that Infantino has placed himself above the collective. UEFA previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments to force the withdrawal of the private investment plan, which some critics described as a shabby, opaque, backroom deal.
The conflict has divided the global football community. While the three aforementioned confederations seek a change in leadership, Infantino maintains strong support from the Confederation of African Football and CONMEBOL in South America. Some individual nations, such as Mexico, Qatar, and the UAE, have also backed the president. According to a BBC analysis, the voting landscape is fluid, with approximately 73 members in support, 124 in opposition, and 13 undecided ahead of the March 2027 election.
Reports highlight a close relationship between Trump and Infantino. Infantino awarded Trump a FIFA Peace Prize last year, and the proposed private investment group, Thrive Eternal, was led by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son in law. While Trump has denied discussing the investment with Infantino, critics suggest the partnership threatens the independence of the governing body. FIFA has dismissed the calls for resignation as an effort to undermine the organization.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These reports emphasized the breach of trust, the potential for corruption, and the contrast between Trump's support and the views of US Soccer.
- Centre
- These outlets focused on the structural division of voting power and the specific procedural details of the FIFA election.
- Centre-right
- These outlets framed the event as a power struggle and provided historical context on previous FIFA crises to explain the current instability.
Sources
- Centre BBC News: The map showing world's division over Infantino
- Centre-left CNN: Donald Trump jumps in to support Gianni Infantino as FIFA president clings on to power
- Centre-left Dawn: Trump says would be 'terrible mistake' to oust embattled FIFA president Infantino
- Centre Financial Times: Trump warns ditching Infantino would be ‘terrible mistake’
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: Ceferin, the atypical UEFA leader who put Infantino in trouble
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: Trump says Fifa would make a 'terrible mistake' if it replaced Infantino
- Centre-right La Tercera: The revolution against Rous, the FIFAGate with Blatter and the bribes to Havelange: the other crises that have hit FIFA
- Centre-right La Tercera: Gianni Infantino receives the support of Donald Trump in the midst of the new FIFA crisis
- Centre-left Malaysiakini: Trump tackles Fifa, warns against replacing 'fantastic' Infantino
- Centre NRC: The current power struggle within FIFA is entirely about the position of Infantino, but is 'so far mainly strong language without consequences'
- Centre-right Neue Zuercher Zeitung: "He is fantastic": Donald Trump comes to Gianni Infantino's aid
- Centre Politico Europe: Trump backs Infantino after fury over FIFA chief’s World Cup sale plan
- Centre The Indian Express: Trump says ousting Infantino as FIFA president would be ‘terrible mistake’
- Centre The Japan Times: Trump defends Infantino as UEFA-led schism with FIFA deepens
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.