Key facts
- UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC have accused FIFA President Gianni Infantino of deception and breach of trust.
- The confederations are demanding Infantino's resignation over plans to sell stakes in a new company that would own World Cup commercial rights.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly backed Infantino, calling it a "terrible mistake" to replace him.
- Infantino's plan to sell 20% of a new commercial entity, Fifa Forward Enterprise, for $4 billion sparked backlash.
- Fifa has defended the plan as a way to increase distributions to member nations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly supported FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stating that replacing him would be a "terrible mistake." Infantino is currently facing a significant challenge to his leadership from three of FIFA's four largest confederations: UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC.
These confederations have accused Infantino of deception and breach of trust over his plan to sell a 20% stake in a new commercial entity, Fifa Forward Enterprise, for $4 billion. The backlash was so severe that Infantino was forced to shelve the idea. The involvement of Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as a potential investor further fueled anger, with UEFA alleging Infantino sought to enrich himself and his friends.
Despite the opposition, Infantino retains the support of the African and South American confederations and has now received backing from Trump. Trump praised Infantino's leadership, citing the success of the 2026 World Cup, and warned that replacing him would harm the tournament's future profitability.
FIFA has defended the proposed sale as an opportunity to increase financial distributions to member nations and equalize resources. However, critics question why this cannot be achieved given FIFA's substantial reserves. The current World Cup is projected to boost FIFA's revenue to $15 billion for the 2023-26 cycle. Infantino has shown no indication of stepping down.