Trump jumps in to support Gianni Infantino as FIFA president clings on to power

Amidst a storm of criticism and calls for resignation from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a well-known ally in US President Donald Trump has come to his defense. In a message posted on Truth Social on Monday night, Trump urged against any consideration of replacing Infantino, stating that the World Cup had never been more successful or profitable under his leadership.

Trump praised Infantino, saying he was "fantastic" and that any change would bring about a decline in success and profitability. The controversy surrounding Infantino and FIFA stems from the scrapped FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which aimed to sell portions of World Cup and other FIFA commercial and operational rights to private investors.

This contentious move has caused divisions within the soccer community, with continental confederations and national associations divided on whether a change in FIFA leadership is necessary. Despite acknowledging past mistakes, FIFA continues to face numerous challenges in moving forward from the situation. A day after calls from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for a change in leadership and an independent review, Trump has offered support for Infantino.

The two have a close relationship related to this year’s World Cup, a connection some believe undermines FIFA's independence. Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize before the tournament, an award that drew widespread mockery. The FFE proposal initially sparked criticism due to the involvement of private investors, particularly Thrive Eternal, led by Joshua Kushner, Jared Kushner’s brother and the son-in-law of Trump.

It remains to be seen whether Trump's intervention is sufficient to halt the pressure on FIFA's president. However, with Infantino clinging to power, he is likely to accept any support he can receive.