Infantino vows to stay as FIFA president despite calls to resign over Trump interference

Gianni Infantino has declared his intention to remain FIFA president and seek re-election in 2027, brushing aside mounting pressure to step down following Donald Trump’s direct intervention in a disciplinary matter at the World Cup.

The controversy centres on Folarin Balogun, who was handed a one-match ban after his red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia. That suspension was controversially lifted, with Trump publicly stating he had asked Infantino to review the incident. Balogun subsequently started the last-16 tie against Belgium — a match the co-hosts lost 4-1 in Seattle to exit the tournament.

Belgium lodged an appeal against the decision to reinstate Balogun, but it was rejected. The result on the pitch ultimately rendered the matter moot for the Belgians, yet the political fallout has continued to reverberate through the sport.

The episode sits in direct tension with FIFA’s own statutes, which prohibit political interference in the affairs of its member associations. The Nepalese federation was suspended just last month on exactly those grounds. Critics argue the governing body applied its rules selectively, with the host nation’s head of state appearing to influence a competition ruling without consequence.

UEFA issued a pointed statement condemning the decision, saying it “crossed a red line.” The European governing body argued that a one-match automatic suspension following a red card is not a discretionary measure and cannot be subject to exceptions, particularly mid-tournament when other players in identical situations had already served their bans. “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake,” UEFA’s statement read.

Despite the backlash, Infantino — who has held the role for a decade — signalled in April that he would contest the 2026 FIFA presidential election. “I want to confirm to you that I will be a candidate for the election of FIFA president next year,” he told the 211 member associations at the time. A victory would extend his tenure to 2031, at which point he would have reached his maximum term limit.

While Infantino faces significant opposition in Europe, he retains broad support across Africa and South America, blocs that carry substantial voting weight in FIFA’s congress. Analysts suggest that, if he weathers the current storm, he remains the frontrunner for re-election.