United States President Donald Trump has warned FIFA against removing its president, Gianni Infantino, saying it would be a “terrible mistake” to replace him.
Trump’s comments came amid growing pressure on Infantino from three major football confederations over a controversial investment proposal that has since been abandoned.
UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently accused Infantino of breaking their trust through what they described as “deception” over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The plan involved creating a new company to manage the commercial and ticketing rights of FIFA competitions, including the World Cup.
About 21 per cent of the proposed company was expected to be sold to a private investment firm.
Reacting to the controversy, Trump said FIFA would regret replacing Infantino.
“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.
“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.”
The 2026 World Cup was hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Spain defeating Argentina in the final to win the tournament.
Trump had earlier said he had not discussed the FFE proposal with Infantino when the controversy first emerged on July 28.
Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investment group.
Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump and presented him with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025.
The latest controversy has put further strain on Infantino’s relationship with the football confederations.
UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions and said it could consider legal action over the failed investment plan.
In a joint letter, UEFA, Concacaf and the AFC accused FIFA’s leadership of undermining trust and putting individual interests above those of the wider football community.
Although Infantino was not named directly in the letter, sources told BBC Sport that the statement was intended to pressure him to resign.
There have also been preliminary discussions among the three confederations about the possibility of forming breakaway competitions if Infantino remains in office, although no substantive talks have yet taken place.
