Trump Warns Removing Infantino Would Be a ‘Terrible Mistake’

With controversy surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino intensifying, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly thrown his support behind the FIFA chief, warning that removing him from office would be a “terrible mistake.”

In a post on social media on Monday, Trump praised Infantino in glowing terms, describing him as a “great” leader and crediting him with overseeing what he called the most successful World Cup in history.

“If FIFA even thinks about removing President Gianni Infantino for any reason, it would be a terrible mistake,” Trump said. “He is outstanding, and under his leadership, we had the most successful World Cup in history, four times more successful than any World Cup before it.”

Trump also claimed that the World Cup would never be as successful or profitable if Infantino were to leave FIFA.

“If he leaves, the World Cup will never again be as successful or profitable,” Trump added.

Infantino has faced growing pressure in recent weeks over a failed plan to sell part of the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors, as well as allegations concerning an alleged relationship with a female employee. The FIFA president has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.

FIFA has also publicly backed Infantino. The governing body previously claimed that there was a “coordinated and ongoing effort” aimed at undermining FIFA and its president over the proposed commercial initiative.

Infantino is expected to seek re-election as FIFA president in March, making Trump’s public endorsement particularly significant as the election approaches. However, the U.S. soccer authorities have taken a different stance. The leadership of Infantino has already come under criticism from football organizations in the United States, Canada, and several countries across Central America and the Caribbean.

Trump is not the only high-profile figure to support Infantino. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL have also expressed their backing for the FIFA president.

With the election approaching, the divide within world football over Infantino’s leadership is becoming increasingly clear, with influential figures and football organizations lining up on both sides of the debate.