Trump, Infantino Hail Successful 2026 World Cup

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday declared the 2026 World Cup a success, with Infantino saying that the tournament “exceeded all expectations,” citing packed stadiums and high television ratings.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico co-hosted this year’s World Cup, which ran from June 11 to July 19 and featured matches across 16 host cities.

Trump, on July 17, hosted a reception at Trump Tower in New York for international soccer players ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, where Argentina will face Spain.

“Full stadiums, seven million people in the stadiums, tens of millions in the cities in America, in Canada, in Mexico, billions in front of their TV,” Infantino said. “The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world.”

Total attendance at this year’s World Cup exceeded 6.6 million, surpassing the combined attendance of the 2018 and 2022 editions, which totaled over 6.4 million, according to FIFA.

Trump said the tournament had become more than just a sporting event, calling it “one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history” and congratulating all the competing nations.

“By the time the final whistle sounds on Sunday, nearly six billion viewers will have watched this World Cup. That’s a record by many, many times over,” the president said.

“It’s been a true honor for Americans to share our magnificent country with the world. And today, America, it’s stronger and wealthier and hotter than ever before, and you’re a big part of it,” he added, wishing Argentina and Spain good luck ahead of the final.

More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on July 16 that Trump will attend the match.

Infantino said last month that he and Trump would jointly deliver the World Cup trophy to whichever team wins the championship match.

“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said at the time.

Infantino had previously awarded Trump FIFA’s inaugural peace prize during the FIFA World Cup Draw at the Kennedy Center in December 2025.

Argentina won the previous World Cup in 2022 and also has two other triumphs. Spain won the World Cup in 2010 in its sole final appearance. The two sides have only met once before at the World Cup. Argentina won the 1966 match 2–1.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.