Trump ally defends Infantino, blames critics on 'jealousy'

President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino

WASHINGTON, Aug 15: Andrew Giuliani, a former aide to US President Donald Trump and former executive director of the White House task force for the 2026 World Cup, has strongly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying those seeking his removal need to “have their heads examined.”

Giuliani, who worked closely with Infantino before and during this summer’s World Cup, defended the FIFA president amid the backlash over the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal.

The plan would have allowed FIFA to offer stakes linked to the World Cup to private investors. Its withdrawal has reportedly intensified calls from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation for Infantino to step down.

Giuliani dismissed the criticism as politically motivated and driven by jealousy.

“People get jealous when others achieve great things,” Giuliani said, arguing that Infantino has transformed FIFA and taken the organization to a level many never thought possible.

He also pointed to the 2026 World Cup as Infantino’s first tournament secured during his presidency, noting that he inherited the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

“This is the first one. It’s his own vision,” Giuliani said.

Giuliani issued a strong warning to football federation and confederation leaders considering voting against Infantino, calling it potentially “one of the most bad decisions” of their careers.

He also praised FIFA’s financial and organizational performance, saying the 2026 World Cup was the biggest global sporting event ever and was staged without major incidents while generating more than four times the revenue of the previous World Cup.

“If Gianni Infantino is not unanimously re-elected, everyone who votes against him needs a mental examination,” Giuliani said.

He ended on a lighter note, joking that FIFA might need a “Save FIFA Act,” echoing Trump’s proposed “Save America Act.”