US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling any move to oust him a "terrible mistake" just as three continental confederations publicly accused the world football chief of betraying their trust. The intervention, posted on Truth Social, pits the White House against US Soccer and deepens a power struggle that erupted after Infantino briefly pursued a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors. Main Developments Trump's endorsement came in response to an open letter from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, which accused Infantino of breaking trust "through deception" and abandoning his duty as a custodian of the game. The confederations argued that football's leadership is not a possession and that Infantino had placed himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority. Read also: Diplomats Step In as Bangladesh, India Try to Save Cricket Tour Infantino, who awarded Trump a "FIFA Peace Prize" during last year's World Cup draw ceremony, earned praise from the US president for presiding over what Trump called "the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented." Trump warned that without Infantino, FIFA would never be "as successful or profitable again." FIFA itself pushed back on Saturday against efforts to "undermine" the governing body and its president, but the three confederations dismissed that response as insufficient. They said the recent emergency meeting in Morocco, where senior FIFA directors expressed "full support" for Infantino, represented a continuation of the very pattern of conduct that sparked the crisis. Background Infantino, a 56-year-old Swiss national, has led FIFA for a decade and appeared set to run unopposed for a fourth and final term at the FIFA Congress in March 2027. His position seemed secure after overseeing the first 48-team World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which he attended with Trump at the final last month. The trouble began when Infantino launched a plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions, including the World Cup. UEFA condemned the proposal as "a shabby, opaque, backroom deal" and threatened to boycott the tournament, a move that proved pivotal in forcing Infantino to withdraw the plan. Despite the retreat, the fallout has persisted. The Confederation of African Football has backed Infantino, and CONMEBOL is largely supportive, but individual member associations hold the votes in FIFA elections. Infantino has received support from Mexico, Kuwait, and Qatar—where he owns a house—but the recent letter signals growing opposition. Why It Matters The dispute threatens to fracture football's governing structure just as the sport basks in the success of an expanded World Cup. The confederations' letter argues that the growth of the past decade was a shared achievement, not the work of one individual, and that Infantino's leadership has brought "silence where there should be accountability, distance where there should be openness." Trump's backing adds a geopolitical dimension, aligning the US president with Infantino against US Soccer, which has joined the critics. The outcome could shape FIFA's governance and the future of tournament commercialization, with implications for how the sport is managed globally. What's Next Infantino's re-election bid remains on track for the March 2027 Congress, but candidates must be declared by November 18. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani is seen as a potential challenger, though no formal bid has been announced. The three confederations have vowed to maintain their stance, framing it as a duty to the game. Whether they escalate their opposition or seek a compromise will determine if Infantino faces his first real contest in a decade.