Gianni Infantino is the subject of fresh claims that he wants Donald Trump to help him as the backlash against his FIFA leadership intensifies. The claim arrives after a failed investment proposal fractured support across world soccer.
Insiders say Gianni Infantino believes Donald Trump could help calm the growing FIFA backlash
RadarOnline reported that insiders believe Infantino sees Trump as one of the few figures capable of changing the mood around the crisis. One source claimed the FIFA president was seeking a “political lifeline” and was “begging Trump to save his job.”
FIFA rejected that account in a statement to Reuters. “The FIFA President has not made any call to the U.S. President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction,” the organization said.
The controversy began with Infantino’s proposal to place FIFA’s commercial operations, including World Cup rights, into a new company open to private investors. The plan could have raised up to $4.2 billion by selling an approximately 20% stake.
Opposition quickly spread. UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation criticized the process, while several European associations withdrew support for Infantino’s 2027 reelection bid. Infantino later abandoned the proposal and apologized for the division it caused.
The proposal had already sparked an explosive showdown between FIFA and UEFA. Infantino also faced scrutiny after Trump’s public intervention in Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case prompted complaints over FIFA’s political neutrality.
That history explains why the latest allegation has drawn attention. Trump and Infantino appeared together throughout the World Cup, and Trump reportedly floated the FIFA chief as a possible candidate to lead the United Nations.
However, the current claim remains disputed. FIFA says no recent outreach occurred, while RadarOnline’s unnamed sources maintain that Infantino hoped Trump could help steady his position.
Infantino still has public backing from several national federations, but it has been reported that five European associations have withdrawn their support. He must rebuild alliances before the March 2027 FIFA election while opponents consider their next move.
For now, Trump has not publicly offered to intervene. The bigger question is whether Infantino can survive the FIFA governance crisis without the political ally insiders claim he wants.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK GIANNI INFANTINO CAN REBUILD SUPPORT AFTER FIFA’S FAILED INVESTMENT PROPOSAL?
Reported by Misbah Pandith on Mandatory.
