United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino found themselves at the center of controversy throughout the FIFA World Cup. Now, with Infantino potentially facing the loss of his position, Trump has publicly come to his defense.
In a social media post Monday, Trump cautioned that replacing Infantino as FIFA president would be a “terrible mistake” as the FIFA boss faces mounting pressure from the gobal soccer community.
Trump’s World Cup Controversies
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was surrounded by controversy, with Trump and the United States receiving significant criticism.
Fans have voiced their displeasure over FIFA’s decision to allow Trump to hand the trophy to the victors following the World Cup Final, the treatment of Iranian players during the tournament, Africa’s top referee being denied entry into the country, the Americanization of soccer through commercials during “hydration breaks,” an extended Super Bowl-style halftime show during the final, and championship rings.
Perhaps the most notable controversy, however, involved Trump’s role in getting Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension overturned.
The Balogun red card controversy, in particular, generated widespread outrage throughout the international soccer community. Amid all of the controversy, Trump was loudly booed by fans multiple times during his appearance at Sunday’s match, while it sounds like Ceferin opted not to attend the game at all.
Trump and Infantino became embroiled in another controversy following the World Cup when Infantino revealed plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Josh Kushner emerged as the lead investor in the reported deal. Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump.
Infantino faces pressure
Infantino is now facing growing pressure from within the soccer world after confederations representing Europe, North America, and Asia criticized his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
In an open letter released Monday, UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC described the proposal as a “fundamental breach of trust” with the organizations served by soccer’s global governing body.
The letter from UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC declared that “when trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned.”
“Football is the world’s greatest shared passion. It belongs to no individual and no institution. It belongs to the players, the fans, the clubs, the member associations and every institution entrusted with safeguarding its future. It is in that spirit, as confederations representing its members, that we speak collectively today,” the letter said.
Trump Defends Infantino
With Infantino facing increasing scrutiny and pressure from soccer’s governing bodies, Trump has now issued a warning that replacing the FIFA president would be “a terrible mistake.”
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino. 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! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s defense of Infantino comes after the FIFA president offered significant praise for Trump’s involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, claiming that the tournament “exceeded all expectations.”
“I promised you we would make a great World Cup. And by all means, this World Cup has exceeded all expectations,” Infantino said at the event. “Full stadiums – 7 million people in the stadiums – tens of millions in the cities in America, in Canada, in Mexico, billions in front of their TV, everyone enjoying the game with happiness, with joy, with peace.
“The American dream, Mr. President, became a reality. We united the world.”
‘Corrupt person’
Needless to say, Trump’s decision to speak out in support of Infantino quickly sparked outrage from fans on social media.
“Corrupt person likes another corrupt person on the condition that both of them receive a lot of money, respect and visibility. It would a terrible mistake if Infantino will be nominated for another term as president of FIFA,” someone wrote in a post on X.
“Obviously Trump will make this statement. He and his family were going to benefit if the sale of the world cup stakes would have gone through. Trump will support corrupt practices. Infantino and Trump must go,” another commenter wrote.
“Not that Infantino needed another nail in his coffin… but none the less Trump delivered it,” someone else added.
“The overpowering stench of corruption,” a user commented.
“That’s the Kushner connection,” someone speculated.
“Obviously Trump will make this statement. He and his family were going to benefit if the sale of the world cup stakes would have gone through. Trump will support corrupt practices. Infantino and Trump must go,” another person wrote.
Clearly, Trump’s vote of confidence had the opposite effect.
Source: The Comeback
