On August 3 – According to the Daily Mail, embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to hold crucial talks with US government officials on Monday morning local time. This comes after his plan to sell the FIFA World Cup to private investors failed, and he is now fighting to retain his position as FIFA president.

The Times first revealed Infantino's bombshell plan to sell a stake in FIFA's flagship event for $4.2 billion (approximately £3.1 billion) to a private equity firm led by Joshua Kushner, which sparked public opposition.

The proposal has been shelved due to opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC. As Infantino struggles to save his job, the New York Post reported that he is turning to his most powerful ally, US President Trump, for help to overcome the difficulties.

Reports indicate that Infantino will speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 9 AM ET (2 PM BST), at a time when calls for his resignation are growing louder.

An insider told The Post: "He wants to speak with the Secretary of State online to discuss how football can be a soft power tool for the US. But everyone knows this is really about him holding onto his job, and for now, there's no other purpose." Another source stated that Infantino feels "isolated and helpless" amid the "avalanche" of negative publicity surrounding his failed plan. "He is looking for influential allies to publicly support him," the source said.

The Daily Mail has contacted FIFA and the White House for comment.

Reportedly, Infantino is making a last-ditch effort to save his presidency, just days after Trump flatly denied knowing about Infantino's audacious sale plan.

When asked, "Did Mr. Infantino mention to you a proposal to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup?" Trump initially responded coldly: "Who?"

After the question was repeated, the US President added: "No, I haven't spoken to him about that."

Trump's reaction to Infantino during a media interview in the Oval Office was a stark contrast to his past comments before and after the FIFA World Cup, when he often praised the FIFA president.

It is understood that Infantino attempted to call Trump multiple times in recent days but received a silent response. Earlier on Monday, Infantino's fight to retain his presidency suffered another major blow, as several more countries withdrew their support for his re-election.

England, Wales, and Finland are the latest countries to explicitly oppose Infantino's re-election, and more UEFA members are expected to follow suit.

Before his controversial sale plan came to light, Infantino was reportedly endorsed for re-election by almost all of FIFA's 211 member associations. Candidate nominations must be completed by November 18, and the vote will take place at next March's FIFA Congress.

Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 and is aiming for his fourth re-election. However, recent events, coupled with the controversies that have plagued him before and after the FIFA World Cup, have severely shaken his authority. His plan has been widely criticized, and two of his closest allies have resigned. First, his senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, who served as the liaison between FIFA and the White House during the FIFA World Cup, announced his departure last week, followed by Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour, who publicly criticized the proposal.

UEFA and CONCACAF have called for Infantino's resignation, but their efforts to remove the Swiss football administrator have been hindered as Kuwait, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon reaffirmed their trust in his leadership. UEFA and CONCACAF collectively hold 90 of FIFA's 211 member association seats, which exceeds the 20% threshold required to initiate a no-confidence vote, but is not enough to reach the majority vote needed to remove Infantino.

Infantino still has the support of CAF members, and CONMEBOL is also expected to take the same stance, so to remove the FIFA president, support from AFC members is needed. New Zealand may join the European and CONCACAF opposition, but it is uncertain whether the remaining 10 members of the OFC will follow suit.

Infantino previously wrote to all FIFA member associations stating that each association would receive $41 million (approximately £30 million) if they supported his plan to sell a stake in major FIFA events.

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