FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly seeking support from United States President Donald Trump as he faces mounting political pressure following the collapse of his controversial plan to sell minority stakes in the commercial rights of the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
According to the New York Post, the embattled FIFA chief made several unsuccessful attempts to reach Trump by telephone as criticism of his leadership intensified across world football.
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Infantino turns to Trump
The report said Infantino also arranged discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, officially framing the talks around football’s growing role as an instrument of American soft power ahead of major international tournaments.
However, the publication suggested the outreach was also aimed at strengthening Infantino’s political position as opposition to his leadership grows within FIFA and across several football associations.
World Cup investment plan collapses
At the centre of the controversy is Infantino’s failed proposal to establish a new commercial entity to manage FIFA’s future commercial rights.
The plan would have allowed private equity firm Thrive Capital to acquire around 20 percent of the new company for more than $4 billion, with FIFA projecting the venture at a valuation of $20 billion.
The proposal was ultimately abandoned after fierce opposition from continental confederations, national football associations and leading clubs, dealing a major setback to one of Infantino’s flagship commercial initiatives.
Leadership under increasing scrutiny
The collapse of the investment plan has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, with several European football associations withdrawing their support ahead of FIFA’s next presidential election.
UEFA has publicly declared it has lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership, while calls for greater accountability and governance reforms have continued to grow following the failed proposal.
According to the report, the setback has left Infantino increasingly isolated within FIFA’s leadership structure, raising fresh questions about his political future as pressure mounts ahead of the governing body’s next presidential contest.
