Trump warns FIFA against replacing Infantino, calls move a ‘terrible mistake’

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug 11:  US President Donald Trump has warned FIFA against replacing its president, Gianni Infantino, saying the global football governing body would be making a “terrible mistake” if it removed him.

In a post on his Truth Social account Monday, Trump said, “FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino.”

Trump described Infantino as “fantastic” and credited him with overseeing what he called “the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.”

“If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again!” Trump added.

The comments came as Infantino faces mounting pressure over a controversial proposal to sell an interest in the World Cup to private equity investors.

UEFA, CONCACAF and the AFC issued a joint open letter Monday criticizing the plan, describing it as a “fundamental breach of trust” with the institutions FIFA is supposed to serve.

The football confederations warned that when trust is broken through deception and an individual places himself above the collective that granted him authority, “that duty has been abandoned.”

FIFA apologized last week for mistakes surrounding the proposal. Following a crisis meeting in Morocco, the organization said senior officials had reaffirmed their “full support” for Infantino’s presidency.

FIFA also said the proposal was “now off the table” and pledged to take measures to protect its integrity, governance, due process, name and reputation.

Trump’s intervention adds a major political dimension to the dispute, with the US president publicly backing Infantino as pressure grows within international football over FIFA’s leadership and decision-making.