United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino found themselves at the center of some controversy together at the FIFA World Cup. Now, as Infantino could be on the verge of losing his position, Trump has spoken out in his defense.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump warned that it would be a “terrible mistake” to replace Infantino as FIFA’s president.
Trump’s World Cup Controversies
Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump and the United States have faced some heavy criticism for a wide variety of reasons.
Fans have expressed frustration at FIFA’s decision to allow Trump to hand the trophy to the victors following the World Cup Final, the treatment of Iranian players throughout the tournament, Africa’s top referee being denied entry into the country, the Americanization of the sport with commercials during “hydration breaks,” an extended Super Bowl style halftime show at the final, and championship rings, and most notably, Trump’s involvement in getting the red card suspension to Folarin Balogun overturned.
The Balogun red card situation in particular sparked such widespread outrage throughout the international soccer community. As a result of these controversies, Trump was loudly booed by fans on multiple occasions during his appearance at the match on Sunday, and it sounds like Ceferin refused to attend the game altogether.
Following the World Cup, Trump and Infantino found themselves at the center of some controversy yet again when Infantino announced plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors, with Josh Kushner emerging as the lead investor. Josh Kushner is the younger brother to Jared Kushner, who is married to Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump.
Infantino faces pressure
In an open letter on Monday, confederations from Europe, North America, and Asia said that Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was a “fundamental breach of trust” with the institutions the sport’s global governing body serves.
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.
‘Would be making a terrible mistake’
As Infantino faces mounting pressure from the soccer world, Trump has warned that replacing him 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 comments come after Infantino heavily praised Trump for his involvement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that the event “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.”
Source: The Comeback
