FIFA President Gianni Infantino turned to the US administration after his plan to raise approximately $4.2 billion by selling the commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors failed. According to the New York Post, Infantino has repeatedly sought a phone call with President Donald Trump since the plan was shelved on Friday but has been unsuccessful.
According to the report, Infantino, feeling "isolated" in the face of negative media coverage, turned to the Trump administration for support. FIFA has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
FIFA's attempt to raise financing by transferring its commercial assets, including the World Cup, to a new company had met with strong opposition from stakeholders. The organization's plan to raise funds through a roughly 20 percent share sale in the new entity was suspended last Friday.
After the failure, political pressure mounted on Infantino, who is expected to run for president again for the 2027-2031 term. Infantino and Trump had developed a close relationship by meeting at major football events, including the World Cup co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada this year. Infantino presented Trump with the first-ever FIFA Peace Award in December 2025.
The close ties between the two resurfaced with FIFA's failed sales plan. The proposed deal was expected to be managed by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The New York Post also reported, citing two sources, that Infantino had planned a private meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and was expected to have a phone call around 16:00 TSI. However, US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson refuted the claims on X, stating that there was "no plan" for Rubio to meet with Infantino and "there was no phone call this morning."
