U.S. Soccer has publicly aligned itself with global calls for FIFA governance reform, distancing the federation from President Donald Trump's personal support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid a widening controversy over a proposed plan to sell World Cup commercial rights to private investors. The standoff marks one of the sharpest institutional splits between American football administration and the White House in recent memory.

The FIFA Share-Sale Proposal

FIFA announced a proposal to sell shares of the World Cup through a subsidiary company, instantly valued at $20 billion. The plan — first surfaced through media leaks and put forward without prior consultation with member associations — drew immediate backlash from major football bodies worldwide. Critics argued that the sport's most prestigious tournament should not be treated as a commercial asset open to outside investors.

Among those opposing the move are UEFA, CONCACAF, the English Football Association, and the Norwegian Football Federation. CONCACAF specifically flagged 'the lack of due process surrounding the proposal, the artificially short deadline imposed, and the absence of any review or approval by the relevant FIFA governance bodies.'

U.S. Soccer's Stance

Rather than backing Infantino — as Trump has — U.S. Soccer joined a coalition demanding structural change at FIFA's most senior levels. 'U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and UNCAF (Central American Football Union) stand together, along with our colleagues around the world, in calling for meaningful change that strengthens FIFA's governance, transparency and accountability,' the federation posted on X on Monday.

Notably, unlike several European counterparts, U.S. Soccer has not threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, focusing instead on demanding a governance overhaul rather than an outright rupture with the global body.

Trump's Loyalty to Infantino

The White House has reportedly pledged continued support for Infantino even as backing within football circles has wavered. An unnamed senior administration official was quoted in reports as saying: 'Gianni 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.' The official added: 'I don't 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.'

Trump's endorsement came days after he claimed to have had no prior knowledge of Infantino's investor plan — a claim that raised eyebrows given the pair's well-documented closeness, which itself generated controversy throughout the 2026 World Cup held across North America.

The Kushner Connection

Adding a further layer of complexity, Thrive Eternal — a venture capital firm founded and managed by Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law — was reportedly identified as the entity set to lead the proposed investor group. Reports also indicated that the Trump administration had been consulted about the project prior to its public disclosure, making Trump's claim of ignorance all the more contested.

What Happens Next

With major confederations demanding procedural accountability and the White House standing by Infantino, FIFA faces a rare dual-front pressure: institutional resistance from within football's governance structure and a politically charged patron in Washington. How Infantino navigates the next round of member consultations is likely to determine whether the share-sale proposal survives in any form.