The Post: Infantino has tried calling Trump multiple times in the past few days, but Trump has not answered.

According to the Daily Mail, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, embroiled in controversy, will hold crucial talks with US government officials on Monday morning local time. His attempt to sell the World Cup to private investors has failed, and he is currently struggling to retain his position as FIFA president.

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

The proposal has been shelved due to opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC. Meanwhile, as Gianni Infantino struggles to keep his job, the New York Post reveals that he is turning to his most powerful ally—US President Trump—for help to weather the storm.

The report states that Infantino will speak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (2 p.m. British Summer Time), amid growing calls for his resignation.

"He wanted to speak with the Secretary of State online to discuss how soccer could become a soft power tool for the United States. But everyone knows it's really about keeping his job; there's no other purpose for now," an insider told the Post. Another source said that a barrage of negative comments surrounding his failed plan left Infantino feeling "isolated and helpless." "He's looking for influential allies to publicly support him," the source said.

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

According to reports, Infantino is making a last-ditch effort to retain his chairmanship, just days after Trump categorically denied knowing about Infantino's audacious sale plan.

When asked, "Has Mr. Infantino mentioned to you a proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup?" Trump initially responded coldly, "Who?"

When the question was repeated, the US president added, "No, I haven't spoken to him about this."

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

It is reported that Infantino has made several attempts to call Trump in recent days, but has been met with silence. Earlier on Monday, Infantino's struggle 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 member states are expected to follow suit.

Before his controversial sale plan was revealed, it was reported that Infantino had secured re-election endorsements from almost all of FIFA's 211 member associations. Nominations for candidates must be completed by November 18th, and voting will take place at the FIFA Congress next March.

Gianni Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 and is aiming for a fourth term. However, recent events, coupled with the controversies surrounding him before and after the World Cup, have severely shaken his authority. His plans have been widely criticized, and two of his closest allies have resigned. First, his senior advisor Carlos Cordero, who served as FIFA's liaison with the White House during the World Cup, announced his departure last week. Subsequently, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour also publicly criticized the proposal.

UEFA and CONCACAF have called for Gianni Infantino's resignation, but their efforts to remove the Swiss football administrator have met with obstacles as Kuwait, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon have reaffirmed their confidence in his leadership. UEFA and CONCACAF together hold 90 seats out of FIFA's 211 member associations, exceeding the 20% threshold needed to trigger a vote of no confidence, but not enough to secure the majority required to remove Infantino.

Gianni Infantino still enjoys the support of CAF members, and CONMEBOL is expected to take the same stance. Therefore, to remove the FIFA president, the support of AFC members is needed. New Zealand may join the opposition from UEFA and CONCACAF, but it is uncertain whether the remaining 10 members of OECD will follow suit.

Gianni Infantino 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 FIFA's major tournaments.