FIFA refutes report that Infantino sought Trump backing after failed World Cup sell-off plan
FIFA says the reports are false as Infantino faces pressure over a collapsed plan that would have raised $4.2 billion from private investors.
- FIFA formally dismissed reports that President Gianni Infantino reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump as "pure fiction," denying claims that he sought political backing following the collapse of a $4.2 billion World Cup commercial rights deal.
- The denial responded directly to a New York Post report alleging Infantino made repeated, unsuccessful phone calls to Trump and scheduled private talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio after feeling "isolated" by intense backlash.
- State Department officials also refuted claims of high-level intervention, with Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson confirming on X that no phone calls or meetings between Rubio and Infantino were planned.
- The reporting centered on ties to an investor group, as the proposed commercial spin-off—"FIFA Forward Enterprise"—was set to be anchored by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
- Infantino faces severe political isolation within international football, with major European and American federations withdrawing support and threatening boycotts over his handling of the abandoned investment scheme.
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111 Articles
Gianni Infantino Reportedly Desperate For Trump Support Amid FIFA Crisis
News Licensing / MEGANews Licensing / MEGA Gianni Infantino is reportedly seeking political backing in the United States as fallout from FIFA‘s abandoned commercial restructuring proposal intensifies. The FIFA president is also said to be facing growing internal unrest, with fresh questions emerging over his future at the helm of world soccer. However, the State Department has since disputed reports that Infantino had secured talks with Secretar…
Algemeen Dagblad
The KNVB and UEFA have withdrawn their confidence in FIFA boss Gianni Infantino after he withdrew his controversial plan to sell part of the World Cup rights. This puts Infantino's position in jeopardy. Stay up to date with all developments in this live blog.
Gianni Infantino is under massive pressure and is said to have asked Donald Trump for help. FIFA reacts with sharp words.
The international soccer federation has denied media reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke on the phone with US President Donald Trump in an attempt to retain his post.
FIFA has denied media reports that its president Gianni Infantino is constantly calling US President Donald Trump in an attempt to save his post, amid outrage over plans to sell World Cup rights to private investors.
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