Trump backs Infantino amid FIFA governance crisis over failed commercial deal

US President Donald Trump has publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling it a "terrible mistake" for the global football body to consider removing him from office. Trump's intervention marks his first direct defence of Infantino since details of a controversial commercial restructuring plan emerged in late July.

The controversy centres on FIFA's now-abandoned Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal, which would have created a new company to manage commercial and ticketing rights for all FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. Under the scheme, a private investment group would have acquired a 21% stake in the venture.

The governance backlash

Three major continental football confederations—UEFA, Concacaf, and the Asian Football Confederation—issued a joint open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust through deception regarding the FFE plans. The unified stance from these bodies signalled serious concerns about FIFA's governance and transparency in decision-making at the highest level.

The proposed investor group was expected to be led by Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. When Trump initially addressed the FFE plans on 31 July, he stated he had not discussed the proposals with Infantino.

However, Trump's recent message on social media struck a notably different tone. "Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino," Trump wrote. "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."

Why it matters for Ghana

For African football and Ghana specifically, this crisis reflects ongoing debates about FIFA's commercial direction and governance. As a major football nation with a stake in FIFA competitions and development programmes, Ghana is part of the continental confederations affected by these decisions. The FFE proposal raised questions about how FIFA distributes resources and commercial benefits to member associations—particularly in developing nations that rely on FIFA Forward funds for football development.

The controversy also highlights tensions between FIFA's commercial agenda and the priorities of football confederations. If such restructuring proceeds without proper consultation, smaller football nations could find themselves disadvantaged in negotiations over broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and development funding that directly impact grassroots football investment.

Infantino's tenure has been marked by efforts to expand FIFA's commercial revenue, including tournament expansion and new competitions. Supporters credit him with increasing FIFA's financial capacity to distribute development funds. Critics, however, question whether these initiatives prioritise commercial interests over democratic governance and fair representation within the organisation.

The 2026 World Cup context

Trump's defence references the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—which took place this summer, with Spain defeating Argentina in the final. Trump attributed significant success to Infantino's leadership, claiming it was "by four times" the most successful World Cup previously held.

The timing of Trump's statement, coupled with his personal connection to the proposed investor group through Kushner, adds a political dimension to what appeared initially as a governance matter. The situation underscores how FIFA's commercial decisions and leadership are increasingly influenced by major stakeholders with vested interests in the organisation's direction.