Gianni Infantino Seeks Trump Support After $20B FIFA Plan Collapse

FIFA President Infantino under fire as stake sale plan scrapped

FlIFA President Gianni Infantino turns to White House amid backlash over failed.

Wales withdraws support for Gianni Infantino as pressure mounts on FIFA President...

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reportedly turned to the Trump administration for backing amid growing criticism over his scrapped plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post reported on Monday citing sources familiar with the situation.

According to the Post, Infantino made several unsuccessful attempts to call US President Donald Trump by phone since the proposal fell apart on Friday. The report added that the FIFA president feels "isolated" following a wave of negative media coverage.

The Post said Infantino has set up private talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed the FIFA president is due to speak with America’s top diplomat just after 9 a.m. ET.

Pressure has grown over his abandoned plan to carve out FIFA’s commercial assets into a $20 billion subsidiary funded by private investors. The group reportedly included Josh Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

FIFA did not comment right away, and the White House also had no immediate response to Reuters’ request for comment.

The proposal would have raised up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling about a 20% stake in a new company managing FIFA tournaments including the World Cup. It was dropped on Friday after strong pushback from stakeholders.

Q: Did Gianni Infantino speak with you about selling the World Cup?

Trump: No. pic.twitter.com/TnzSE92qRc

— Acyn (@Acyn) July 31, 2026

With the plan now shelved, focus has shifted to what it means for 56-year-old Swiss Gianni Infantino. His campaign for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031 is facing greater scrutiny in the wake of the collapse.

The Football Association of Wales was the first national association to publicly pull its backing for Infantino. England is expected to do the same, along with several other European FAs.