Donald Trump says it would be a "terrible mistake" to replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Trump offers support to Infantino amid the wave of criticism.
It has been two weeks since FIFA announced a plan to privatise part of the World Cup, selling off stakes in the competitions to private investors, a plan that got widespread rejection from around the world and mobilised UEFA, with the support of CONCACAF and AFC, to increase opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, saying that the plan was a "fundamental breach of trust".
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that it would be a "terrible mistake" for FIFA to lose Infantino, showing support to his friend, after hosting two football competitions in two years, the Club World Cup last summer and World Cup this summer. In fact, Trump went on to suggest Infantino would be a great UN secretary-general.
"FIFA would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing President Gianni Infantino", Trump posted on Truth Social. "He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT."
US Soccer called for "meaningful change"
However, Trump's praise to Infantino (who famously pledged to his desire to forgive US player Folarin Balogun during World Cup) is not shared in the Football Association in the United States, which shared a joint statement with other CONCACAF confederations (in North America and Central America): "U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability", they wrote on Monday.
