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FIFA denies Infantino sought Trump's help as 'completely fictional'
FIFA denied a report that its President Gianni Infantino sought support from US President Donald Trump after his plan to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors failed. Calling the New York Post claim “completely fictional,” FIFA stated that Infantino had not contacted Trump or his administration in recent days.
FIFA has dismissed as “completely fictional” a report that its President Gianni Infantino sought support from US President Donald Trump after the collapse of his plan to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights to private investors.
In a statement to Reuters, FIFA said, “The FIFA President has not called the US President or any member of his administration in recent days. This is completely fictional.”
The denial came after a New York Post report that Infantino had tried to reach Trump by phone but failed and was feeling alone amid mounting criticism.
Infantino’s plan to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 percent stake in an entity that oversees competitions including the World Cup to private investors had been shelved after strong resistance from stakeholders.
With the plan suspended, attention has turned to the possibility of Infantino being re-elected as FIFA president for the 2027-2031 term. His chances of serving another term are facing growing scrutiny.
Trump and Infantino have built a close relationship, meeting at major football events including this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize, making him its first recipient.
The relationship also drew attention because Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital who was expected to play a leading role in the proposed commercial rights initiative, is the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The New York Post also reported that Infantino planned private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Dylan Johnson, the US State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs, announced in a post on X that Rubio had no plans to speak with the 56-year-old FIFA president.
During this time, Infantino shared messages of support from member federations such as Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Qatar and Morocco on his Instagram account.
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