Reports say President Donald Trump is reportedly prepared to support FIFA president Gianni Infantino as he faces backlash over proposals to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Multiple national associations have withdrawn their support, putting Infantino's 2027 re-election in doubt. An anonymous senior US official told The Telegraph that Trump values Infantino for helping deliver the 2026 World Cup and may intervene to help. It remains uncertain how effective any presidential support would be against mounting opposition.
Trump Reportedly Ready To ‘Do Everything Possible’ To Help FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Photo by Waleed Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Reports say US President Donald Trump is prepared to lend significant support to FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the Swiss-Italian executive faces mounting criticism over a proposed private investment plan tied to the World Cup.
Background
Infantino has come under intense scrutiny since FIFA disclosed plans to sell stakes in future World Cups to private investors. Several national football associations have publicly withdrawn their backing, raising doubts about his prospects for re-election in 2027.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Trump's Reported Support
According to The Telegraph, an anonymous senior official close to the Trump administration said the president values Infantino for his role in delivering the successful 2026 World Cup and "will do everything possible to help him." The official described a close rapport between Trump and Infantino during the 2026 tournament and said that the president feels indebted to the FIFA chief.
“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 official reportedly said. “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.”
Implications
It is unclear how much effect a public endorsement or behind-the-scenes assistance from a sitting US president would have on the growing opposition within global football. While presidential backing could buy Infantino political cover or time, many associations are calling for accountability and review of FIFA's governance and commercial strategy.
Observers will be watching for any formal intervention from Washington and whether it influences Infantino's standing ahead of the next FIFA election cycle.
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