FIFA have spoken out amid claims that their president, Gianni Infantino, has repeatedly tried to call Donald Trump in a bid to save his job.

Infantino had the backing of all but a few FIFA members ahead of the World Cup. Prior to this summer’s tournament, over 200 of the 211 FIFA members sent letters to FIFA expressing their support for Infantino’s re-election as president.

However, he has come under serious fire in recent days after he attempted to sell stakes in FIFA’s major tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors.

The backlash was so great that the 56-year-old felt he had no choice but to scrap those plans.

While that decision has been met with relief, many think that Infantino should resign as president. UEFA have led those calls, while Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has also been vocal in his opposition.

Some nations have also withdrawn their support for Infantino. Wales became the first nation to do so, while Serbia and Finland have done the same.

Report Claims Infantino is Repeatedly Calling Donald Trump

Reuters/Mark J Rebilas

Infantino and Donald Trump have become close in the past few years. The Inaugural Club World Cup was held in the United States in 2025, with the President of the United States giving winners Chelsea the trophy.

Trump has also praised Infantino this summer. During the World Cup, after USA star Folarin Balogun had the red card he picked up against Bosnia suspended, Trump said of the 56-year-old:

“This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino. He’s a smart, tough man, and his stock has gone through the roof because the job he has done has been great.”

Trump later called this summer’s World Cup ‘one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history.’

With Infantino under fire, the New York Post have claimed that the Swiss is ‘begging Trump and the White House to save his job.’

They claimed that Infantino wants the Trump administration to help keep him in office and has sought private talks with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

A source told them: ‘He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America. But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point.’

They also state that Infantino has ‘repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone since his plan to sell off the game’s commercial assets to private investors collapsed on Friday.’

FIFA Rubbish Report That Infantino Has Reached Out to Trump

Reuters/James Lang

FIFA have now released a statement claiming the reports are ‘pure fiction.’ The sport’s global governing body wrote on X:

Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson has also rubbished the reports. He wrote on X: “There are no plans for @SecRubio to speak with Infantino and there is no call this morning. @nypost should check their sources or they could have just asked us.”

The New York Post have maintained their reporting was correct, however. They argue that a senior source at FIFA insisted the call had been scheduled but was axed after the unwanted attention generated by their reporting.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, have claimed that Trump will do ‘everything in his power’ to save Infantino. It’s said that he has grown fond of Infantino after he helped the United States to host the best World Cup ever.’

Chelsea endured a disappointing 2025-26 Premier League campaign, finishing 10th and failing to qualify for any of the three European competitions available to them.

The Blues did make it to the FA Cup final, but they were narrowly beaten by Manchester City, ensuring a trophyless season for the London side. The sackings of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior during the season have seen former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso take up the reins at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2026-27 season.

But the Spaniard, who hails from the football-rich province of Gipuzkoa, has an uphill task ahead of him. Chelsea were a long way off Champions League qualification and even further away from challenging for the league title. But with significant financial clout and a solid core of players to build on, there is the potential to challenge for trophies should Alonso get the summer transfer window right.

New Chelsea Signings 2026/27

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto

Chelsea splashed significant cash on two young stars in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra and Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda. Palestra has already been capped twice by Italy and enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Cagliari last season. Nineteen-year-old Quenda arrives with high expectations. In October 2024, he became Sporting CP’s youngest ever league goalscorer, surpassing the marks set by Simao Sabrosa and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Denner, cousin of Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes, finally arrives upon turning 18. The Brazilian agreed to join Chelsea in January 2025. He is joined by 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev, who has already registered 54 goals in Kazakhstan — including his first Champions League goal last season.

Emmanuel Emegha is the latest player to arrive from Chelsea’s sister club RC Strasbourg. The Dutch forward has already been capped at international level and was named Strasbourg’s captain for last season.

Chelsea broke their record transfer fee with the signing of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. A £117 million deal was agreed, which comfortably surpasses the £103 million fee paid for Enzo Fernández.

Maxence Lacroix joined the Blues from Crystal Palace in the wake of the World Cup, moving across London for £52 million. Interestingly, Alonso has gone for experience by bringing in veteran England internationals Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson. Welbeck had been impressive for Brighton in recent seasons, while Henderson shone for Brentford last term.

Another addition from Strasbourg came in the form of Argentina’s Valentin Barco, who joined in a £34 million move.

Chelsea Departures 2026/27

Jerome Miron (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Chelsea has already made space for new arrivals with some major departures. Andrey Santos has departed the club for rivals Manchester United in a deal worth almost £50 million. The Brazil international made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season, with his departure a surprising one.

Marc Cucurella, a key member of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, also departs for Spanish giants Real Madrid for a similar fee. The left back made over 150 appearances for the Blues, and was a part of their UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup-winning squad.

Chelsea have also moved England U21 star Tyrique George on, with Everton securing the winger’s signature. George enjoyed a solid loan spell under David Moyes last season, making 11 appearances for the Toffees.

Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan move after being deemed surplus to Alonso’s requirements.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lost the support of many following the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA’s decision to overturn the red card USA star Folarin Balogun picked up against Bosnia & Herzevogina did not go down well. The decision was made after Donald Trump intervened.

After the World Cup ended, it was revealed that Infantino planned to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors.

Following intense backlash, with UEFA leading the way after threatening to boycott the World Cup should the deal go through, Infantino felt as if he had no choice but to scrap his plans.

Multiple Countries Withdraw Support For Infantino

REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, is hoping to be re-elected for a fourth term as president at the FIFA congress in March.

However, the fallout from the plans means Infantino’s chances of being re-elected have now taken a huge blow.

Prior to the World Cup ending, over 200 of the 211 FIFA members sent letters to FIFA expressing their support for Infantino’s re-election. Some have now sent letters to FIFA withdrawing their support for the 56-year-old.

Wales became the first nation to officially do so Monday. They said in a statement: “The Football Association of Wales hereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-election as FIFA President for the 2027-2031 term.

Serbia and Finland are among the other nations that have also withdrawn their support. While it has been reported that the English FA will follow suit.

Four Countries That Never Expressed Support For Gianni Infantino’s Re-Election

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

While over 200 countries sent letters of support for Infantino’s re-election prior to the World Cup, some did not. They have now been revealed by former Premier League footballer Jan Aage Fjørtoft.

Taking to X, the former Swindon Town, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Barnsley forward said: “Two hundred of FIFA’s 211 member associations signed a letter supporting Gianni Infantino’s re-election on 18 March next year.

“I understand that Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany did not sign the letter. I know that England and the Netherlands did send a letter. However, I have not been able to identify the other seven associations that did not sign.”

Norway FA president Lise Kaveness has been outspoken about Infantino. In April, she revealed that the NFF (Norway Football Federation) intended to send a letter supporting calls for an investigation into the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize.

While last month, she said that Norway would complain to FIFA about the decision to suspend Balogun’s red card and the role Trump played.

Germany FA president Bernd Neuendorf slammed Infantino after he scrapped his plan. He told Agence France-Presse, per Goal: “Gianni Infantino acted unilaterally, without transparency, and ultimately in an irresponsible manner towards the interests of football.

“Together with UEFA and the other confederations, we must ensure that a radically different culture prevails within FIFA. A culture in which decisions are discussed and taken anew by the members within the leadership bodies.”

Denmark chief Jesper Møller has said that he ‘can’t support’ Infantino, while the Swedish Football Association have said that ‘trust in Gianni Infantino’s leadership no longer exists.’