Trump Determined to Save Infantino: 'Will Do Everything Possible'
FIFA president faces calls to resign after $15 billion plan collapses, with the US president reportedly ready to help.
FIFA president faces calls to resign after $15 billion plan collapses, with the US president reportedly ready to help.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under intense pressure after his ambitious $15 billion plan to sell the organization's commercial assets to private investors collapsed on Friday. As leaders of several football associations increasingly call for his removal, US President Donald Trump is reportedly willing to do "everything possible" to prevent Infantino from leaving the helm of world football, The Telegraph reports.
A senior US administration official, close to both Trump and Infantino, told The Telegraph that the president is favorably disposed toward the FIFA chief because he helped the United States host "the best World Cup ever." Trump, according to the same source, wants Infantino to remain in his position, and media have previously reported that the US president also sees him as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, an organization Trump has already said "no longer serves its purpose."
Their relationship has developed since their first meeting in August 2018, when Infantino, who took the helm of FIFA in 2016, gave Trump a red and yellow card and joked that they "might come in handy" in dealing with journalists. It was further strengthened during the draw for the 2026 World Cup last December, when Infantino presented the US president with a golden trophy bearing his name. Just a few days later, Trump also received FIFA's Peace Award. Incidentally, the tournament was also marked by controversy after Trump revealed that he had begged Infantino to overturn the suspension of Folarin Balogun for the round of 16 match against Belgium. Trump himself, when asked on Friday about the sale of FIFA's assets, replied that he had not discussed it with Infantino.
While Trump offers support, the English Football Association (FA) is leading efforts to oust Infantino, with UEFA actively lobbying in Africa and Asia. The confederations from Africa and Asia together hold 100 votes, roughly half of the total, but none of them have publicly called for his departure. Additionally, associations from Morocco, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon have expressed their support for him. The African Football Confederation did not oppose the sale plan, while the Asian Football Confederation was against it but did not call for his removal.
The timeline is crucial for building a coalition against Infantino, as a motion for a vote of no confidence must be submitted three months in advance. Reports have emerged that Infantino is scheduled to meet with members of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but FIFA and the US State Department have denied these claims. The New York Post reports that Infantino unsuccessfully tried to contact Trump after the collapse of the sale plan.
Meanwhile, the United States Soccer Federation has confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino will continue to lead the national team in the coming years. The Argentine coach, who took charge of the US national team in 2024, has extended his contract until 2030. The US federation is pleased with his work, especially after the US team achieved a record number of wins at the recently concluded World Cup.
Pochettino faces a packed calendar over the next four years: in addition to qualifying for the 2030 World Cup, the US will participate in two editions of the CONCACAF Nations League and two Gold Cups, the biggest continental tournament in North and Central America.
