FIFA's Infantino sought Trump backing after World Cup issue

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is reported to have sought support from the Trump administration amid intense criticism, after his failed plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, a move that is now threatening his bid for another term as FIFA president.

A report by New York Post stated that Infantino had planned private talks with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson posted on X claiming there were no such plans.

This comes as FIFA's plan to establish a subsidiary to introduce private funding and host major events such as the World Cup was opposed by European and other regional football associations. Infantino eventually announced his abandonment of the plan.