Trump Gives Infantino a 'Boost of Support'

Washington – AFP – US President Donald Trump intervened to bolster the position of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Swiss-Italian, who is being called upon to step down by several continental confederations following his controversial and ultimately aborted project aimed at opening the door to private investment in the organization of the World Cup and other tournaments.

Trump affirmed that Infantino “just presided over the most successful World Cup,” held in June and July in North America, adding that if he were to leave, “the competition would never again see such success or such profitability.”

This reaffirms the US president’s closeness to Infantino, who received from him in December 2025 the “FIFA Peace Award,” established specifically for him. Infantino also asked Trump, during the 2026 World Cup organized by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, to review a red card issued to a player on the US national team, which he successfully did.

Infantino (56), the candidate to succeed himself as head of FIFA, has been mired in a crisis since the revelation of his controversial project.