Washington, United States. FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly sought support from the Trump administration as criticism mounted following the collapse of a proposal to sell a stake in the commercial rights to World Cup competitions.
The New York Post, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported on Monday that Infantino had repeatedly tried unsuccessfully to contact U.S. President Donald Trump by phone after the plan was abandoned on Friday.
Commercial rights proposal withdrawn
FIFA had proposed creating a new entity to oversee commercial assets linked to competitions including the World Cup and selling about 20 per cent of it to private investors.
The plan was intended to raise up to $4.2 billion but was withdrawn on Friday following strong opposition from stakeholders.
The failure of the initiative has increased scrutiny of Infantino’s position as he seeks another term as FIFA president for the period from 2027 to 2031.
Links with the Trump administration
Trump and Infantino have developed a close relationship and have appeared together at major football events, including this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In December 2025, Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, making the U.S. president the first recipient of the award.
Attention has also focused on the proposed commercial-rights transaction because Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was expected to anchor the deal.
Reported Rubio contact denied
The New York Post reported that Infantino had arranged private discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Two sources told the newspaper that the FIFA president was expected to speak with Rubio shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern Time.
However, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said on X that there were no plans for Rubio to speak with Infantino and that no call was scheduled that morning.
