FIFA's Infantino set to ask Rubio for help saving presidency: Report

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has scheduled private discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Monday morning to request the Trump administration's assistance in salvaging his faltering bid for a third term, according to a report by the New York Post.

Emergency talks

Two sources familiar with the matter told the New York Post that Infantino will speak with Rubio shortly after 9 am ET (1300 GMT). One insider briefed on the matter said the FIFA chief intends to frame the discussion around soccer's potential as American soft power, though the source suggested the motive is purely self-preservation. "He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America," the source said, adding: "But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point."

Opposition mounts

The calls follow Infantino's repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach President Donald Trump by telephone since FIFA abandoned its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise on Friday. The plan would have permitted minority private investment in a new subsidiary managing commercial rights to the World Cup and other competitions, but faced widespread opposition from confederations and national associations.

Over the weekend, CONCACAF and UEFA issued a joint statement calling for a "comprehensive reckoning" regarding the proposal and Infantino's leadership. On Monday, the Football Association of Wales became the first national body to formally withdraw support for Infantino's presidency, with reports indicating the English Football Association would follow suit. The 54-year-old Swiss-Italian official has served as FIFA president since 2016 and is expected to seek a third term at next year's congress.