US President Donald Trump is reportedly prepared to do “everything possible” to help Gianni Infantino remain FIFA president as the football governing body’s chief faces the biggest leadership crisis of his tenure following the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.The latest development comes as Infantino continues to battle mounting political pressure within world football after abandoning plans to sell minority stakes in FIFA competitions, including the men’s and women’s World Cups, with growing calls to remove him as FIFA president.While FIFA has denied reports of recent contact between Infantino and the White House, fresh claims suggest Trump remains firmly in the Swiss administrator’s corner.
Trump reportedly remains loyal to Infantino
According to The Telegraph, Trump is willing to support Infantino despite the growing backlash against the FIFA president.The report states that Infantino was expected to hold discussions with members of Trump’s administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an effort to stabilise his position. Both FIFA and the US State Department denied those reports.However, a senior administration official close to both Trump and Infantino told The Telegraph that the US president continues to value his relationship with the FIFA chief following the successful staging of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico.The official said:“Gianni helped us a lot to deliver the best World Cup ever. The president likes him a lot. I am sure the president will do everything possible to help him.”The source added:“I don’t think the president will change his mind on him, because he is a loyal person. Gianni really delivered the World Cup for the United States. We value that.”
FIFA denies reports of recent contact
The claims surfaced just days after reports suggested Infantino had attempted to reach Trump following the collapse of FIFA’s commercialisation proposal.According to the New York Post, the FIFA president unsuccessfully tried to contact the US president after abandoning the controversial plan.FIFA, however, strongly rejected those suggestions.A FIFA spokesperson said:“The FIFA President has not made any call to the US President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction.”Trump also distanced himself from the controversy when asked directly about the proposal last week.Speaking to reporters during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David before FIFA officially withdrew the plan, Trump responded:“No, I never spoke to him.”
Relationship stretches back several years
Despite the latest denials, Trump’s relationship with Infantino has been well documented over recent years.The pair first established a rapport after meeting in 2018, when Infantino reportedly brought red and yellow football cards to the meeting, joking they “could be useful” for Trump in dealing with the media.
FILE – President Donald Trump holds up a red card during a meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, center, and United States Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro, left, in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug. 28, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Their relationship strengthened further during preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
FILE – President Donald Trump shakes hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he presented with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
At the tournament draw in December, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, awarding him a golden trophy and commemorative medal. The honour attracted widespread criticism, particularly after the United States later launched military strikes on Iran.During the World Cup itself, Trump also publicly acknowledged contacting Infantino after United States forward Folarin Balogun was sent off, asking whether the suspension could be appealed before the Americans’ Round of 16 fixture against Belgium.Reports also emerged before the current controversy that Trump had privately considered supporting Infantino for the role of United Nations secretary-general.
Attention now turns to the 2027 election
Infantino remains in office for now, but his political future has become significantly less certain than it appeared only weeks ago.All 211 FIFA member associations are scheduled to vote by secret ballot in the presidential election in March 2027, with any candidate requiring a simple majority if only two contenders stand.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino
Potential challengers are already beginning to emerge, with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström all linked with possible bids.For now, Infantino continues to receive backing from a handful of influential allies, including the reported support of Trump, but the fallout from the abandoned World Cup commercialisation plan has transformed what was once expected to be a straightforward re-election into one of the most uncertain leadership battles FIFA has faced in recent years.
