Key Takeaways
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought support from the Trump administration after a commercial rights plan collapsed
- The plan aimed to raise $42 billion but was abandoned due to strong opposition
- Infantino's leadership is under scrutiny following the collapse of the proposal
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to contact United States President Donald Trump by telephone after the proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup was abandoned. According to sources familiar with the matter, Infantino felt increasingly isolated as criticism of the failed initiative mounted.
The governing body’s proposal would have transferred around 20 per cent of the commercial rights to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, into a newly created company backed by private investors. The plan was expected to raise as much as $42 billion but was shelved following strong opposition from key stakeholders.
Background and Implications
The collapse of the proposal has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, with questions now being raised about the implications for his expected bid for another term as FIFA president covering the 2027–2031 cycle. Infantino has maintained a close relationship with Trump in recent years, with the pair appearing together at several football events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Their ties were further highlighted in December 2025 when Infantino presented Trump with FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize, making him the first recipient of the honour. The relationship has attracted additional attention because the abandoned commercial rights proposal was reportedly expected to be anchored by Thrive Capital, an investment firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the son-in-law of the US president.
Why This Matters
The failed commercial rights plan remains one of the biggest setbacks of Infantino’s presidency and has fuelled debate over FIFA’s governance and future commercial strategy. As the governing body navigates this challenging period, Infantino's ability to regain the trust of stakeholders and restore confidence in his leadership will be crucial in determining the future of FIFA and its competitions.