FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reportedly seeking political support in the United States as pressure grows over his leadership following the collapse of a controversial proposal involving the commercial future of the World Cup.
According to the New York Post, the 56-year-old football administrator has reached out to officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump as he works to strengthen his position within world football.
The report claims that Infantino has also arranged private discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of efforts to secure backing amid increasing scrutiny of his presidency.
The pressure on Infantino intensified after his proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, which involved selling a stake linked to the World Cup to private investors, failed to gain support. The plan reportedly faced strong opposition from several football organisations.
The reported outreach to senior US political figures comes at a significant time, with the United States playing an increasingly prominent role in global football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Infantino is also said to be hoping that his relationship with President Trump may prove beneficial, particularly after controversy surrounding a decision during the 2026 World Cup involving Folarin Balogun’s red card, which attracted criticism from many within the football community.
FIFA has not publicly commented on the reported contacts with the Trump administration or the claims regarding Infantino’s efforts to secure political support.
