FIFA has dismissed reports that its president, Gianni Infantino, sought assistance from US President Donald Trump’s administration following the collapse of a proposed multibillion-dollar commercial rights deal.
In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, world football’s governing body described as “pure fiction” a New York Post report claiming Infantino had repeatedly tried to contact Trump after plans to sell a stake in FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights business fell through.
“The FIFA President has not made any call to the US President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction,” FIFA said.
The report emerged after FIFA abandoned a proposal to raise $4.2 billion by selling about a 20 per cent stake in a new entity that would manage the commercial rights to competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. The plan reportedly collapsed following strong opposition from key stakeholders.
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The failed proposal has intensified scrutiny of Infantino’s leadership, with speculation growing over its potential impact on his prospects of securing another term as FIFA president for the 2027–2031 cycle.
Infantino and Trump have maintained a close relationship in recent years, appearing together at several major football events, including this year’s FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. In December 2025, Infantino also presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
The proposed commercial venture had drawn additional attention because Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was expected to play a key role in the investment.
The New York Post also reported that Infantino had planned private talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson, said there were no plans for Rubio to meet or speak with the FIFA president.
