{"id":2639832,"date":"2026-08-03T17:40:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T21:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-denies-call-with-under-pressure-fifa-president-infantino\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:44:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T21:44:38","slug":"state-department-denies-call-with-under-pressure-fifa-president-infantino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-denies-call-with-under-pressure-fifa-president-infantino\/","title":{"rendered":"State Department denies call with under-pressure FIFA president Infantino"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstate-department-denies-call-with-under-pressure-fifa-president-infantino%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2639832&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino is seeking support from the White House amid controversy over his plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity firms. Even though the U.S. State Department has denied any contact with Infantino, reports suggest that former President Trump may intervene to help him retain his position, given Infantino&#8217;s close ties to Trump and his management&#8217;s apparent support. Infantino&#8217;s proposal to privatize parts of FIFA to generate billions has faced widespread criticism from football associations and government officials worldwide, with many calling for his resignation due to concerns over transparency, governance, and the potential damage to FIFA\u2019s reputation. Despite rumors of government involvement, FIFA and the UK government have publicly denied any active engagement. Infantino remains eligible to run for a final term in next year&#8217;s FIFA elections amid mounting calls for leadership changes in global football governance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4671904\/uefa-gianni-infantino-fifa-no-confidence\/\">FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/a> is praying for the White House\u2019s support as he tries to quell outrage caused by plans to sell stakes in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1397\">World Cup<\/a> to private equity firms, but it remains unclear whether President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> will intervene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The State Department is denying a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/08\/03\/business\/fifas-infantino-begs-trump-admin-to-save-his-job\/\"><em>New York Post<\/em> report<\/a> that Infantino, who was forced to abandon a scheme to privatize the global tournament on Friday after national soccer associations threatened to walk away from FIFA, is pursuing a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to seek help staying in his position.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4672948\/state-department-denies-call-fifa-president-infantino\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>State Department denies call with under-pressure FIFA president Infantino<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4672601\/board-of-peace-demands-netanyahu-cease-gaza-airstrikes-israel-peace-plan\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Board of Peace demands Netanyahu cease Gaza airstrikes as Israel refuses to comply with peace plan<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4672178\/two-firefighting-helicopters-crash-midair-greece\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-firefighting-helicopters-collide-midair-near-athens-as-europes-wildfire-emergency-rages\/\" title=\"Two firefighting helicopters collide midair near Athens as Europe\u2019s wildfire emergency rages\">firefighting helicopters collide midair<\/a> near Athens as Europe\u2019s wildfire emergency rages<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere are no plans for [Rubio] to speak with Infantino and there is no call this morning,\u201d a State Department official <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ASDylanJohnson\/status\/2084256485983281196\">said<\/a> Monday on social media. \u201c[The New York Post] should check their sources or they could have just asked us.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) shakes hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as President Donald J. Trump makes a point during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26202651006575.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spain\u2019s Rodri (16) shakes hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino as President Donald J. Trump makes a point during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FIFA has separately <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/sports-gaming\/6005845-gianni-infantino-marco-rubio-state-department-fifa\/\">denied<\/a> the report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But that does not necessarily mean the administration won\u2019t help Infantino. British outlet <em>The Telegraph<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/football\/2026\/08\/03\/wales-withdraw-support-infantino-pressure-england\/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_tw_post_withdraw-support-infantino-pressure-england\/\">published a report<\/a> Monday afternoon claiming that Trump will do \u201ceverything possible\u201d to save the FIFA president from being ousted, citing an unnamed senior administration official.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGianni helped us a lot to deliver the best World Cup ever. The president likes him a lot. I am sure the president will do everything possible to help him,\u201d the source reportedly said. \u201cI don\u2019t think the president will change his mind on him, because he is a loyal person. Gianni really delivered the World Cup for the United States. We value that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Infantino has been a conspicuous ally of Trump, regularly visiting the White House since his return to the Oval Office and presenting him with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump phoned Infantino directly during this year\u2019s World Cup, hosted in the United States, to request a red card suspension against American player Folarin Balogun be overturned. That suspension was ultimately scrapped by FIFA, though Trump maintains that he \u201c[doesn\u2019t] believe [Infantino] made the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, the \u201canchor investor\u201d firm involved in the abandoned deal was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump\u2019s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Infantino has been on the receiving end of an international deluge of condemnations over his plan to secure private funding for the world\u2019s most prestigious soccer competition. Under the rubric, FIFA would spin off a company to manage commercial activities related to the World Cup, such as broadcasting rights, merchandising, ticket sales, and sponsorships. Private investors would be able to collectively buy up to a 20% stake in the new commercial entity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FIFA president acknowledged that the proposal \u201ccreated divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place.\u201d Several of FIFA\u2019s member associations have issued statements condemning Infantino over his proposed stake sale, which was expected to net billions of dollars.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">FILE \u2013 FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures as he meets the media at the FIFA World Cup closing press conference in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (AP Photo\/Martin Meissner, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26213254650466_5ad419.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE \u2013 FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures as he meets the media at the FIFA World Cup closing press conference in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. (AP Photo\/Martin Meissner, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The English Football Association said it is \u201ctime for a full and robust review of FIFA\u2019s leadership and governance to ensure that the global game is run transparently.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">British Prime Minister Andy Burnham <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/gianni-infantino-fifa-world-cup-burnham-uefa-4b6cd1451cde4f2687e119088a3c64ef\">piped up on Monday<\/a> to say he doesn\u2019t believe Infantino is \u201cthe right man to lead football forward on the world stage,\u201d calling the aborted plan \u201coffensive to many people, football people, around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Swedish Football Association <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sports\/soccer\/england-set-follow-wales-withdrawing-support-infantino-re-election-2026-08-03\/\">said<\/a> that \u201ctrust in Gianni Infantino\u2019s leadership no longer exists\u201d after \u201crecurring shortcomings in governance, transparency and management.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4671904\/uefa-gianni-infantino-fifa-no-confidence\/\">UEFA SAYS IT HAS LOST CONFIDENCE IN FIFA\u2019S INFANTINO AFTER FAILED PRIVATE EQUITY PLAN FOR WORLD CUP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Serbia similarly said replacing Infantino is \u201cthe only logical and rational decision\u201d after he \u201cseriously damaged the image and reputation of both FIFA and its President.\u201d Wales also claimed the FIFA president \u201chas lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helm of world football.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Infantino is eligible to run for a final four-year term when FIFA holds its election next year. New candidates for the FIFA presidency must declare their intention to stand for the office by Nov. 18. Four months later, a vote will be held at the association\u2019s African headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FIFA\u2019s Infantino seeks White House support amid controversy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2639833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26202651006575.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3817,9721,26008],"class_list":["post-2639832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-diplomacy","tag-fifa","tag-infantino"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26202651006575.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2639832"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639832\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2639836,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2639832\/revisions\/2639836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2639833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2639832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2639832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2639832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}