Donald Trump says FIFA "will never be as successful or profitable again" if Infantino is removed

President Donald Trump waded into FIFA’s leadership crisis Monday by publicly endorsing Gianni Infantino, days after the FIFA president abandoned a plan to sell roughly 20% of a new commercial arm for up to $4.2 billion. Trump said removing Infantino would be a severe error and predicted the organization would decline in success and earnings without him. The proposal, reportedly involving Joshua Kushner’s firm Thrive Capital, fueled backlash from FIFA member associations. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and CONCACAF accused Infantino of deception, and European and other confederations reportedly discussed organizing their own competitions. Infantino dropped the plan after it created division, leaving pressure on his presidency ahead of March elections.