FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared the 2026 World Cup a triumph on Friday, repeatedly crediting President Donald Trump for helping deliver what he called a historic tournament that brought the world together.
The praise came during a reception Trump hosted at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where the president welcomed Infantino and a roster of international soccer stars. Standing beside the golden championship trophy destined for Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain, Trump and Infantino traded compliments in front of the assembled guests.
Trump described the tournament as “one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history,” saying its impact reached beyond the sporting world. He closed his remarks by wishing the finalists well: “So good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday and may the best team win”.
Speaking to Trump, Infantino said: “The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality … We united the world”.
Infantino went further, telling Trump directly that the tournament’s success was tied to his involvement: “You don’t need people to compliment you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you”.
Record-Breaking Numbers
Infantino pointed to sold-out stadiums and strong television ratings as evidence that the largest World Cup ever staged had met its lofty expectations.
The 2026 edition expanded to 48 teams and spread matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and FIFA has said stadiums were essentially full for all 102 matches completed so far. Total attendance is expected to reach roughly 6.7 million, a tournament record, despite earlier worries that steep ticket prices and immigration concerns might keep fans away from North America.
A FIFA World Cup Trophy visual is displayed against the Manhattan skyline during the FIFA Drone show at Liberty State Park in New York/New Jersey on July 15, 2026. David Ramos/Getty Images
Two matches remain: Saturday’s third-place game between France and England in Miami Gardens, Florida, and Sunday’s championship between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Earlier that day, Infantino addressed a United Nations session focused on how soccer can support youth mental health, bringing an official match ball from the World Cup final onto the stage and calling it “a magic object which has the power to unite the world.”
He acknowledged global divisions but argued the tournament proved unity was still possible: “We know as well, and if there is one thing, if there is one thing that this World Cup has shown us and is showing us, we know that there are many more things that bring us together than things that divide us”.
He also pledged FIFA’s backing for youth mental health initiatives.
Controversies Along the Way
Despite the celebratory tone, the tournament was not without friction. Iran’s team faced a difficult run, narrowly exiting in the group stage while citing burdensome travel restrictions amid its country’s conflict with the United States. Infantino also drew international criticism after lifting the red-card suspension of U.S. star Folarin Balogun at Trump’s urging, a decision Trump downplayed as simply “making a recommendation.”
Separately, Britain’s government has asked FIFA to investigate Argentina’s team after players displayed a banner asserting sovereignty over the Falkland Islands following their semifinal victory over England.
Infantino closed by describing soccer’s unifying power in universal terms: “Football has definitely become that common, that universal language that everyone speaks because everyone wants to come together”.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
