In a characteristically bold display of diplomatic camaraderie, United States President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to see Gianni Infantino remain at the helm of FIFA for another thirty years. The endorsement came as Infantino celebrated his tenth anniversary as President of world football’s governing body on 26 February 2026.
Taking to his platform, Truth Social, President Trump lauded the Swiss-Italian administrator’s leadership qualities. “Congratulations to Gianni Infantino on 10 years as President of FIFA. What a great leader he is!” the President wrote. “I hope he stays there for another 10, 20, or even 30 years.”
A Decade of Reform and Expansion
Infantino’s ascent to the presidency in 2016 marked a turning point for an organisation then crippled by the “Fifagate” corruption scandals. He succeeded Sepp Blatter, who was forced to resign after 17 years amid allegations of money laundering and racketeering. Infantino, previously the General Secretary of UEFA, emerged as a reformist candidate and has since secured re-elections in 2019 and 2023.
Under his tenure, Infantino has overseen the expansion of the World Cup and a significant increase in global football revenues—achievements that have clearly found favour with the American President, particularly as the US prepares to co-host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Constitutional Quagmire
Despite President Trump’s enthusiastic backing, the current FIFA statutes present a significant hurdle to a multi-decade reign. Following the Blatter era, FIFA Congress implemented a strict three-term limit (maximum 12 years) to prevent the monopolisation of power.
However, a controversial ruling by the FIFA Council in December 2022 provided Infantino with a legal loophole. The Council decreed that his initial term (2016–2019), during which he completed the remainder of Blatter’s vacated term, would be classified as “incomplete” and thus not count towards the 12-year limit.
| Term Period | Status | Eligibility |
| 2016 – 2019 | Replacement Term | Deemed “Incomplete” (Does not count toward limit) |
| 2019 – 2023 | First Official Term | Counted |
| 2023 – 2027 | Second Official Term | Current Term |
| 2027 – 2031 | Final Eligible Term | Pending Election |
Looking Toward 2031
Under these current regulations, even with the “incomplete term” exemption, Infantino’s eligibility is set to expire in 2031. To fulfil Donald Trump’s vision of a 30-year extension, FIFA would be required to undergo a fundamental constitutional overhaul to remove term limits entirely—a move that would likely face stiff opposition from European football associations and transparency advocates.
The bond between the two leaders has strengthened significantly through the planning of North American tournament venues. While the President’s wish for a three-decade presidency remains mathematically impossible under today’s rules, it underscores Infantino’s immense political capital on the global stage.
