Posted on 08/11/2026 7:28:00 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
President Donald Trump leapt to the defense of FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Monday, as the head of world soccer’s governing body faces pressure to resign following a failed attempt to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post late on Monday that FIFA would be “making a terrible mistake” if member associations move to replace Infantino. Should he depart, Trump said that the tournament “will never be as successful or profitable again!”
Infantino was the driving force behind FIFA’s most recent commercialization push, which culminated in the largest, most profitable World Cup on record this year – hosted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
But he was forced to apologize after his plans to form a subsidiary to run the tournament, which would have opened the door for investors to buy stakes of up to 20% in a spinout firm, collapsed after widespread backlash across the sport.
Trump’s backing came after regional soccer governing bodies — Europe’s UEFA, North America’s CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation — issued a joint letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” with the aborted proposal.
“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the federations wrote.
“There remains no recognition that attempting to sell an interest in the FIFA World Cup was a profound failure of judgement – not just a procedural misstep, but a fundamental breach of trust with the very institutions FIFA exists to serve,” they added.
Not all of world soccer is united in opposition to Infantino’s premiership, however. The national federations of Argentina, Mexico and Qatar are among those to express public support for his continued leadership.
Infantino’s close relationship with President Trump has been well-publicized and came under intense scrutiny during the 2026 World Cup.
The failed plot to sell stakes to private investors was also backed by Joshua Kushner’s Thrive Capital, whose brother Jared is Trump’s son-in-law.
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The profitability of FIFA is pretty low on my list of concerns.
Tempest in a teacup.
Some explained he was a bit underhanded in seeking private investors, probably so but hardly a reason to throw such a hissy fit. I still see a good bit of TDS in this imho.
Sure it will. It’s the freaking World Cup, it’s a license to print money. The fact that Infantino wants to sell part to private equity is basically saying he’s running out of ideas. The fact that private equity wants to buy in says there are plenty more ideas. Get him out and replace with somebody with ideas, also preferably not a sneaky git.
Why is Trump involved in this?
So Trump wants the Saudis to ruin the World Cup, like they’ve ruined Golf with the LIV?
I have not disputed there is some cause for nations represented to see him out. I only point out that 2 things can be true at once, TDS can also be a motivator here.
The Kushner clan is involved. Wink wink nudge nudge .
“The Kushner clan is involved. Wink wink nudge nudge.”
Well, someone does his/her homework. Jarrod Kusher is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. He has maintained close personal and diplomatic ties to FIFA leadership, helping arrange early White House meetings for the 2026 North American World Cup bid in 2018. However, the recent high-profile, scrapped plan to sell a 20% commercial stake in the World Cup was actually led by his brother, Joshua Kushner. Good catch.
wy69
Well, c’mon, WNBA has not ever been profitable, either. Both seem to employ gender-dubious whingers.
“Why Trump” is my question too.
Infantino has been a good friend to Trump. He understands the President better than most.
Gianni Infantino is seen as a Trump ally and the Europeans have a case of TDS.
Also, the World Cup is a huge money maker and the Europeans want some of that 💰.
Which is a big no-no with the Davos crowd aka Globalists.
The best thing Trump could do here for Infantino is keep his mouth shut rather than make laughably naive statements and inflame those who already oppose him. That’s impossible, of course.
Me too. All pro sports for that matter.
What’s that got to with FIFA?
There is literally nothing in common between the two organizations.
Well as with the Reflecting Pool, Trump can't help himself. Trump is the transactional president. He sees the world in terms of debits and credits on a balance sheet. Not a bad thing really if he he can focus.
Shouldn’t Trump be worried about the midterms?
Tell Donnie has a disastrous here that he created and
mind his own business with issues he was not asked about.
Trust me they don’t want your help.
Does he think he is emperor of the world?
He needs his severe narcissism disorder treated.
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