Senior US official addresses claims of President Infantino begging Trump’s support
By Lutta Njomo, August 3, 2026The US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson, has come out to address claims that FIFA President Gianni Infantino sought support from the administration of US President Donald Trump amid mounting criticism after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights.
In a brief statement on Monday, August 3, 2026, Dylan Johnson dismissed the claims, maintaining that Infantino had not had a phone conversation with the Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an attempt to reach out to President Donald Trump.
“There are no plans for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to speak with Infantino, and there is no call this morning,” Johnson made it clear.
Widely shared reports on Infantino
Johnson’s response came after the New York Post reported on plans for Infantino to contact Trump’s White House, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Post said that Infantino had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone since the proposal collapsed and that the FIFA chief felt isolated by an avalanche of negative media coverage.
However, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs dismissed the claims.
Infantino under fire
Infantino’s tenure at the helm of FIFA came under intense scrutiny after his plans to controversially sell a stake in its competitions to private investors backfired.
Despite withdrawing the proposal, UEFA publicly withdrew its confidence in the FIFA president.
“We must identify those responsible and hold them to account,” UEFA said in a statement on Saturday, August 1, 2026, confirming it will launch a review “in the coming days and weeks” with associations and other confederations. “That review should be thorough and fundamental. No option should be off the table.”
“The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family.”
Infantino close ties with Trump
With the idea abandoned, attention has now turned to the potential repercussions for Infantino, whose bid for another term as FIFA president from 2027 to 2031 faces increased scrutiny following the failed initiative.
Trump and Infantino have forged a close relationship, with the two appearing together at major football events, including in the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The bond was highlighted in December 2025 when Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, making him the first recipient of the award.