Now Reading: Trump warns FIFA against replacing Infantino as pressure mounts
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Trump warns FIFA against replacing Infantino as pressure mounts
US President Donald Trump has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling any move to replace him a 'terrible mistake'. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), Trump said…
The Story in Brief
US President Donald Trump has backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling any move to replace him a 'terrible mistake'. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), Trump said Infantino 'presided over the most successful World Cup' and warned that without him FIFA 'will never be as successful or profitable again'.
Infantino faces a crisis after his plan to sell a stake in the commercial arm of the men's World Cup to private investors collapsed. The strongest opposition came from UEFA, with the Asian Football Confederation and Concacaf also criticising FIFA's handling. Infantino has apologised and denied wrongdoing. He faces reelection next March. Trump's backing contrasts with US Soccer's criticism of Infantino.
The Indian Opinion
The Trump-Infantino friendship is no surprise, both men wield power like patrons, not administrators. But this crisis has genuine teeth: UEFA and three confederations openly accused FIFA's president of 'deception'. Trump's warning to FIFA carries weight because US hosted the 2026 World Cup, but it also exposes the organisation's vulnerability to political pressure. Watch whether UEFA's 55 members will rally behind a reform candidate at the March election, or whether Infantino's apology and Trump's backing are enough to calm them down.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
