Trump Backs FIFA President Infantino, Calls His Replacement a 'Terrible Mistake'

On August 11, 2026, Trump posted on Truth Social defending FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid mounting pressure for Infantino to resign over his withdrawn plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. Trump wrote that FIFA would be making a 'terrible mistake' if it replaced Infantino, called him 'fantastic,' and said Infantino 'presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented.' The statement broke with U.S. Soccer, which joined UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC in an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust 'through deception.' Sources noted Infantino had previously awarded Trump a 'FIFA Peace Prize' and reportedly ran his privatization proposal by figures in Trump's orbit, including potential investor Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.

“FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino,” Quote verified against source