US President Donald Trump has defended Fifa president Gianni Infantino, saying it would be a “terrible mistake” to remove him from the position.
Trump’s comments come after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation accused Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” over his proposed Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan.
The proposal would have created a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including the World Cup, with 21% of the company sold to a private investment firm.
Trump said on social media: “Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino.”
“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.”
Trump’s remarks mark his first public defence of Infantino since details of the FFE proposal emerged on 28 July.
The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with Spain crowned champions after beating Argentina in the final.
When asked about the FFE proposal on 31 July, Trump said he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans.
Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investor group.
Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump and awarded him the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025.
Uefa has threatened to boycott Fifa competitions and said it could take legal action over the abandoned FFE plans.
The joint letter from Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC said: “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
Although Infantino was not named in the letter, sources told BBC Sport it should be viewed as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.
There have also been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over possible breakaway competitions if Infantino remains in office, although substantive talks have yet to begin.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
