FIFA President Gianni Infantino seeks Trump's support amid leadership crisis
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 9:18 AM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reportedly reaching out to Donald Trump for support as he faces mounting pressure following a failed proposal to spin off FIFA's commercial assets. Infantino has sought to arrange talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss leveraging soccer for U.S. soft power, although sources suggest the motivation is to secure his job amid internal dissent. The investment plan, which would have created a new entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise, encountered fierce opposition from soccer federations, many of whom were unaware of the discussions. The crisis heightened significantly as UEFA announced plans to boycott upcoming FIFA competitions, including the men’s 2030 World Cup.
- •Infantino's investment proposal collapsed, prompting a leadership crisis.
- •Attempts to contact Trump have reportedly been unsuccessful since Friday.
- •Internal resistance to Infantino includes a campaign known as 'Project Kill The Monster.'
- •UEFA voted unanimously to boycott FIFA competitions, straining future relations.
- •The proposed new entity aimed to attract significant private investment.
- 3:33 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA labels Infantino-Trump talks as 'pure fiction' after brutal staff email critiques soccer boss
- 9:18 AMYahoo Sports — FIFA denies media reports that Infantino is seeking help from Trump
- 3:47 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA’s Infantino Seeks Trump’s Help After World Cup Plan Falls Apart
- 1:11 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA Boss Gianni Infantino Turns to Trump in Desperate Bid to Save His Job Amid Growing Revolt: Report
- 12:11 PMNew York Post — Under-fire FIFA boss Gianni Infantino begs Trump White House to save his job, set for talks with Marco Rubio: sources - nypost.com
"Football governing body FIFA has denied media reports saying federation president Gianni Infantino keeps calling United States President Donald Trump to try to save his job amid outrage over plans to sell World Cup rights to private investors. "The FIFA President has not made any call to the US President, or any members of his administration, in recent days.
"Two sources familiar with the matter said the under-fire Swiss-Italian sports suit will hold a call with Donald Trump’s top diplomat just after 9am Eastern Time.
"Infantino has reportedly attempted to contact Trump by phone several times since the investment proposal collapsed on Friday but has been unable to reach him.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 3:33 PMFIFA labels Infantino-Trump talks as 'pure fiction' after brutal staff email critiques soccer boss
FIFA has denied reports that embattled President Gianni Infantino contacted U.S. President Donald Trump for support amid growing calls for him to step down
- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 9:18 AMFIFA denies media reports that Infantino is seeking help from Trump
Football governing body FIFA has denied media reports saying federation president Gianni Infantino keeps calling United States President Donald Trump to try to save his job amid outrage over plans to sell World Cup rights to private investors. "The FIFA President has not made any call to the US President, or any members of his administration, in recent days.
- Yahoo SportsAug 3, 2026, 3:47 PMFIFA’s Infantino Seeks Trump’s Help After World Cup Plan Falls Apart
Gianni Infantino is in a tough place after his World Cup sell-off plan blew up in his face.
- Yahoo SportsAug 3, 2026, 1:11 PMFIFA Boss Gianni Infantino Turns to Trump in Desperate Bid to Save His Job Amid Growing Revolt: Report
Infantino has reportedly attempted to contact Trump by phone several times since the investment proposal collapsed on Friday but has been unable to reach him.
- New York PostAug 3, 2026, 12:11 PMUnder-fire FIFA boss Gianni Infantino begs Trump White House to save his job, set for talks with Marco Rubio: sources - nypost.com
Two sources familiar with the matter said the under-fire Swiss-Italian sports suit will hold a call with Donald Trump’s top diplomat just after 9am Eastern Time.
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