Gianni Infantino is seeking Donald Trump's help to save his FIFA presidency after the World Cup rights sale plan collapsed.
On 4 August 2026 GMT+7, Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), finds himself in a precarious situation after reports emerged that he sought support from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to help retain his FIFA presidency amid strong opposition following the failure of a World Cup business restructuring plan.
The crisis stems from FIFA's plan to allow private investors to hold shares in the commercial rights business of the World Cup, valued at several billion dollars. Reports indicated the proposal involved selling a 20% stake worth about $4.2 billion, but it faced heavy opposition from multiple parties before the plan was eventually canceled.
Reports say Gianni Infantino attempted to contact Donald Trump and held talks with senior U.S. officials, viewing football as a channel to enhance the United States' global influence and image. However, critics see this move as an effort by Infantino to cling to power amid rising internal opposition within FIFA and as several football associations withdraw their support for the upcoming election.