In a characteristically bold show 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 the FIFA President marked his tenth anniversary in office on 26 February 2026, a milestone that has triggered both celebration and debate regarding the future of football’s global governance.
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump lauded Infantino’s leadership during a decade that has seen significant collaboration between the US and FIFA, particularly in preparation for the upcoming World Cup cycles.
“Congratulations to Gianni Infantino on 10 incredible years as FIFA President,” Trump posted. “What a fantastic leader he is! I hope he stays there for another 10, 20, or even 30 years.”
The Ten-Year Tenure: From Reform to Power
Infantino’s ascent to the presidency in 2016 followed the most tumultuous period in FIFA’s history. He took over from Sepp Blatter, who was ousted after 17 years amid a global corruption and money-laundering scandal. Originally the General Secretary of UEFA, Infantino was the “fallback” candidate after his superior, Michel Platini, was also banned from the sport.
Since then, Infantino has overseen a radical expansion of the World Cup and a significant increase in commercial revenue. However, his longevity has faced scrutiny due to term-limit reforms introduced specifically to prevent “eternal” presidencies like Blatter’s.
The Mathematics of Term Limits
Under current FIFA statutes, a president is restricted to three terms of four years each, totalling a maximum of 12 years. However, a controversial ruling by the FIFA Council in Qatar (December 2022) determined that Infantino’s first three years (2016–2019) were “incomplete” and therefore do not count toward the 12-year limit.
| Term | Period | Status |
| Partial Term | 2016 – 2019 | Classified as “Incomplete”; excluded from limit. |
| First Full Term | 2019 – 2023 | Completed. |
| Second Full Term | 2023 – 2027 | Ongoing. |
| Third Full Term | 2027 – 2031 | Eligible for re-election. |
The “Trumpian” Ambition vs. Regulatory Reality
While President Trump’s call for a 30-year reign reflects the close rapport between the two leaders—fostered by the massive commercial interests of the North American World Cup—it remains legally impossible under current FIFA rules. Even with the “incomplete term” loophole, Infantino is legally required to step down by 2031.
For Infantino to remain in power for the “10, 20, or 30 years” envisioned by Trump, FIFA would need to vote for a significant constitutional amendment to abolish term limits entirely. Given the organisation’s dark history with long-term autocracy, such a move would likely trigger a massive backlash from global footballing federations and transparency watchdogs.