FIFA has denied claims reported by the New York Post that its President, Gianni Infantino, scheduled a private call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any other member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. A FIFA source told OutKick there is no such call planned either on Monday, August 3, 2026, or at any other time.

The Post had reported that Infantino was set to speak with Rubio amid growing pressure following his unsuccessful attempt to sell a portion of FIFA’s commercial business to private investors. According to the Post, the conversation was intended to discuss how soccer could serve as a form of American "soft power." However, one source described the effort as Infantino seeking support to protect his position.

A FIFA source called the Post’s report erroneous, emphasizing that no such conversation had been arranged. "But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point," the source added.

This development comes as FIFA faces internal challenges, including UEFA's open revolt and scrutiny over the collapsed Thrive Capital deal. The controversy echoes past misconduct issues within FIFA, such as the 2021 guilty plea of Reynaldo Vasquez, former president of the El Salvador Soccer Federation, on money laundering and electronic fraud charges.

Infantino and President Trump were seen together during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final held on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain defeated Argentina.

Sources