President Donald Trump has expressed strong backing for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who faces increasing pressure to resign due to backlash over his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions. Trump cautioned that it would be a “terrible mistake” for FIFA to consider ousting Infantino, praising him for presiding over the most successful World Cup in history.

Infantino, who has encountered criticism from numerous organizations and world leaders such as UEFA, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, shares a long history with Trump that dates back to 2018. Both leaders celebrated their inaugural presidencies around the same time, with Infantino visiting the White House following the U.S. winning the right to co-host the World Cup.

During their initial meeting, Infantino humorously presented Trump with red and yellow penalty cards, suggesting they could be used against the press. Their relationship deepened with subsequent meetings, including a dinner in Davos in 2020 and Infantino's attendance at the signing of the Abraham Accords later that year.

As the 2026 World Cup approached, Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025, credited for his role in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine. Infantino also committed FIFA to build an academy and a 20,000-seat stadium in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding hope through football.

Controversy continued during the World Cup when Trump intervened after U.S. player Folarin Balogun received a red card. Despite Trump's complaints, Infantino clarified that decisions were made by FIFA's independent judicial bodies.

After the tournament, Infantino faced backlash for proposing a $20 billion subsidiary to manage World Cup operations, a plan that was ultimately scrapped following widespread criticism from UEFA and other confederations. Despite the controversy, some nations, including Mexico, Morocco, and Argentina, have continued to support Infantino.