Outgoing US President Donald Trump has declared it would be a “terrible mistake” if Fifa president Gianni Infantino were removed from his position.
Trump’s intervention comes after Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation issued a joint open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal.
The Fifa Forward Enterprise plan would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights across all Fifa competitions, with 21% sold to a private investment firm.
“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 co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico this summer, with Spain crowned champions after beating Argentina in the final.
Trump’s comments mark the first time he has publicly defended Infantino since the FFE plans came to light on 28 July, with the US president previously saying he had not spoken to Infantino about the proposals.
The investment group expected to lead the FFE bid was Thrive Eternal, connected to Thrive, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared.
Infantino and Trump share a well-documented close relationship, with the Fifa president awarding Trump the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025.
Uefa has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions and indicated it could pursue legal action over the failed FFE proposals, raising the stakes considerably.
BBC Sport understands there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions should Infantino remain in his position, though substantive talks are yet to begin.
The letter from Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC stated: “When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
While the letter did not name Infantino directly, sources have told BBC Sport it should be viewed as an opportunity for him to resign and leave with dignity.
Fifa has previously responded by claiming there was a “concerted and ongoing effort” to “undermine” world football’s governing body and Infantino himself.
The United States Soccer Federation also complicated matters by publicly calling for “meaningful change” ahead of Trump’s statement, adding further domestic pressure on Infantino’s position.
BBC Sport’s sports editor Dan Roan has noted that Trump’s support, while likely welcomed privately by Infantino, may have limited influence when it comes to shoring up backing from within the football community itself.
