FIFA on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) dismissed as “pure ‌fiction” a report that its President Gianni Infantino had ​sought support from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration after ⁠the collapse of a plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.

The denial came after the New York Post reported on Monday (August 3) ‌that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Mr. Trump by phone since his proposal was abandoned on ‌Friday (July 31) and that he felt isolated amid mounting criticism.

“The ‌FIFA ⁠President has not made any call to the U.S. ⁠President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction,” FIFA said in a statement to Reuters.

The backlash has intensified over Infantino’s ​failed plan to spin off ‌the world football governing body’s commercial assets into a new entity backed by private investors.

FIFA’s proposal to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20% stake in ‌an entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup collapsed ​after strong resistance from stakeholders.

With the plan shelved, attention has turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose ⁠prospects of securing another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031 have come under increased scrutiny.

Mr. Trump and Infantino have forged a ‌close relationship, appearing together at major soccer events including this year’s World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025, making him the first recipient of the award.

The relationship attracted further attention because Thrive Capital — founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother ‌of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — had been expected to play a leading ​role in the proposed commercial rights venture.

The New York Post also reported that Infantino had scheduled private talks ⁠with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, U.S. Assistant Secretary of ⁠State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a post on X on Monday (August 3) that there were ‌no plans for Rubio to speak with the 56-year-old FIFA president.

Infantino has taken to Instagram to amplify messages of support ​from member federations including Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Qatar, and Morocco.

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who represented the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, resigned on Friday (July 31, 2026) in protest at its private equity plan.

“I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker, said in a statement resigning as adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino that urged other senior FIFA staff to speak out.

Cordeiro often joined Infantino on working visits to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in recent years.

“Let me be clear. I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” Cordeiro, the former U.S. Soccer Federation president said, calling the $20 billion commercial subsidiary “a bad deal for football.” “Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away” he said.

“That is why this proposal should be rejected.” Infantino has proposed spinning off FIFA’s commercial businesses — including World Cups and Club World Cups for men and women — into a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% owned by private investors.

The “anchor investor,” described by FIFA, is a New York-based investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt,” Cordeiro said, noting FIFA’s revenue of $15 billion over the last four years tied to the men’s Wold Cup just ended.

“Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football’s future without any compelling justification,” he said.

Cordeiro said he shared five years working for FIFA alongside Infantino with “dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game.” “I hope they, too, will speak up,” he wrote, “because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it.” Infantino has been president of FIFA for more than 10 years and had seemed sure to be reelected unopposed next March. FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.