Gianni Infantino pushed to quit FIFA and Donald Trump stance as nations rally against him

Gianni Infantino’s presidency at FIFA has reached a defining crossroads, with a coalition of national associations withdrawing support for his re-election bid and a reported White House intervention failing to materialise. The embattled FIFA president now faces a concerted push to force him from office before the next election cycle, as key confederations prepare contingency plans to destabilise his leadership. The crisis deepened after The Telegraph reported that US President Donald Trump would “do everything possible” to ensure Infantino remains in office, a claim that has since been met with scepticism following the White House’s denial of any involvement.

Pressure mounts as governing bodies abandon Infantino

The Football Association of Wales became the first major European body to withdraw its formal endorsement of Infantino’s re-election, citing “growing concerns over governance and the strategic direction of FIFA.” England’s Football Association followed hours later, stating it had “deep concerns regarding the recent decision-making process and the resulting damage to global football’s reputation.” Serbia’s federation also publicly distanced itself from the incumbent president, marking a rapid escalation in opposition across three continents.

The catalyst for this backlash was the abrupt abandonment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a plan that would have allowed FIFA to sell shares in marquee tournaments including the men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup. Critics argued the scheme risked commercialising football’s most sacred competitions, and its collapse has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership ahead of the presidential vote. The FFE’s failure followed intense criticism from member associations, with Wales explicitly citing the proposal as a factor in its decision to withdraw support.

White House denies reported Trump intervention

Reports claiming Infantino sought a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to shore up his position were swiftly denied by Dylan Johnson, US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs. Johnson publicly stated that no such meeting had been scheduled, contradicting claims that the Trump administration was preparing to intervene on Infantino’s behalf. The denial underscores the fragility of the FIFA president’s diplomatic support, despite reports in The Telegraph that Donald Trump would “do everything possible” to ensure Infantino remains in office.

The episode highlights the widening rift between Infantino’s allies and opponents, with the White House’s refusal to engage signalling that even high-profile backing may not be enough to salvage his campaign. The denial came after The Times reported that Trump had privately expressed support for Infantino, raising questions about the extent of US involvement in FIFA’s internal politics.

UEFA and confederations plot resistance

According to The Times, UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation are preparing to “paralyse FIFA” if Infantino proceeds with his re-election bid. The report suggests these confederations could establish rival international competitions, effectively creating a parallel structure to undermine FIFA’s authority. Such a move would represent an unprecedented challenge to the organisation’s monopoly over global football, with potential long-term consequences for the sport’s governance.

The threat of fragmentation comes as Infantino’s opponents seek to exploit the fallout from the FFE collapse and the erosion of trust among member associations. The strategy appears designed to force Infantino’s resignation or, failing that, to render his presidency unworkable. UEFA’s leadership, led by Aleksander Čeferin, has been particularly vocal in its criticism of Infantino’s recent decisions, with sources within the confederation indicating that contingency plans are already in motion.

What comes next for FIFA’s embattled president

With the presidential election looming, Infantino’s future hinges on whether his remaining supporters can counter the growing resistance. The withdrawal of endorsements from Wales, England, and Serbia—combined with the White House’s refusal to intervene—leaves him politically weakened. The reported plans by UEFA and other confederations to “paralyse FIFA” add a further layer of pressure, raising the prospect of institutional schism.

Should Infantino press ahead with his candidacy, the coming weeks will determine whether his opponents can coordinate a unified front capable of derailing his campaign. Alternatively, a tactical retreat—whether through resignation or a strategic withdrawal from the race—could spare FIFA the turmoil of a prolonged power struggle. Either way, the fallout from the FFE debacle has exposed deep divisions within world football’s governing body, and the path to resolution remains far from clear.