The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, delivered a fervent praise for president Donald Trump during an official reception held on Friday at Trump Tower in Manhattan, two days before the final of the 2026 World Cup.
"No need for people to flatter you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you," stated Infantino in front of about 300 people gathered in the New York skyscraper.
The event, organized by Trump for members of the FIFA Council, football legends, and international dignitaries, was broadcast live by the White House. Infantino took the opportunity to outline the journey of their relationship from the beginning.
"When we first met, Mr. President, in the summer of 2018, after the venue was awarded, I promised you that we would host a great World Cup. And indeed, this World Cup has exceeded all expectations," stated the Swiss official.
Infantino cited figures he described as historic: 7 million people in the stadiums, tens of millions in the host cities of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and billions in front of their televisions. "The American dream, Mr. President, has become a reality. We united the world in America," he stated.
The president of FIFA also extended his recognition to the entire administration: "Every person from the White House, from the administration, in the cities and states contributed to creating that safe, protected, and joyful environment to experience something the world has never seen."
Infantino concluded his remarks with a statement that likely did not go unnoticed: "This has not only been the greatest World Cup of all time. It is the largest human, social, and cultural event that humanity has ever witnessed."
Trump, for his part, described the tournament as "the greatest in history" and seized the opportunity to make a controversial proposal: that the United States should host it again, "but this time without Mexico and Canada." He also admitted to having doubted the potential of soccer in the country, recalling that in 2018 he asked Infantino: "Are you crazy? We're not a soccer country."
The leader also took the microphone to reiterate his accusations of fraud in the 2020 elections. “They stole the election. And what did I get? The World Cup and the Olympic Games,” he stated to those present.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has generated controversy throughout the tournament. In early July, Trump acknowledged that he personally called Infantino to request a review of the red card given to American forward Folarin Balogun, which prevented him from playing in the round of 16 against Belgium. FIFA revoked the sanction on July 5 in a decision deemed historic and unprecedented in a World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup, the largest in format with 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 stadiums across three countries, is projected to generate revenues exceeding 10.9 billion dollars, making it the most profitable tournament in history.
After the reception at Trump Tower, the president traveled to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to attend this Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium, where he will present the trophy to the champion alongside Infantino, as they both had previously announced.
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