Trump claims US World Cup a success, despite controversies, ahead of final

Trump Describes 2026 World Cup Hosting as Success for United States Ahead of Final

President Donald Trump is scheduled to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain. He stated on Friday at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City that the United States demonstrated it was a soccer country. “It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said. “This has really brought the world together.”

The final marks the end of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The White House described the event as the result of more than a year of coordination on logistics. The administration applied immigration policies that restricted entry for fans from certain countries that had participated in World Cup qualifiers. Human rights groups issued warnings about those restrictions. Ticket prices drew criticism from some observers. Over several months, Trump discussed the possibility of relocating matches from cities that did not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Local officials also raised concerns with FIFA about transit costs in the period leading up to the opening matches.

As the tournament began, the administration faced additional scrutiny over specific visa decisions. One example involved the denial of entry to a referee from Somalia who had received prior recognition for his work. Following the start of a conflict with Iran, Iranian team personnel and supporters were not permitted to enter the United States, and the team operated from Tijuana, Mexico.

Coverage of the tournament later included accounts on social media of international fans participating in American food and customs, including beer and ranch dressing. Planned immigration enforcement actions near match venues did not take place. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press that the administration’s goal was for public discussion to focus on events on the field. He added that conversations also covered cultural exchanges that occurred during the tournament.

Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino earlier in the month to request a review of a referee decision in the United States match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee had issued a red card to forward Folarin Balogun, which would have prevented him from playing against Belgium. FIFA reversed the decision. At the Friday reception, Trump stated that the reversal allowed the United States to retain a key player, even though the team lost that match 4-1. Giuliani said the administration viewed it as appropriate to raise questions about officiating procedures that involved video review. He noted that federal funding had been allocated to support security, operations, and the integrity of the event.

The United States is scheduled to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. It is also considered a candidate for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Giuliani stated in the AP interview that securing future events would require confirmation that only women would compete in the women’s tournament, consistent with administration policy on participation in women’s sports.

Senator Andy Kim, Democrat of New Jersey, whose state is hosting the final, said that transportation to matches encountered some difficulties but that overall operations proceeded without major disruption. He added that public enthusiasm for the matches exceeded any difficulties encountered. The state is hosting Sunday’s final at a venue in northern New Jersey.

Relations with co-hosts Canada and Mexico included trade measures. Trump imposed tariffs on both countries after taking office and declined to extend an existing trilateral trade agreement, initiating new negotiations. On Friday, he stated that tariffs on Canada could be applied in connection with wildfires affecting air quality in parts of the United States, including northern New Jersey. He also remarked that FIFA could select the United States again for a future World Cup without including Mexico and Canada.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are expected to attend the final following invitations from Trump. Sheinbaum stated that she accepted the invitation from the president of the United States and noted that Carney would also be present. As host nation leader, Trump will award the trophy. He has not publicly indicated support for either finalist.

Spain has maintained positions on NATO spending targets and the use of its territory for certain military operations that differ from administration preferences. Argentine President Javier Milei has maintained close contact with the administration. Trump previously indicated that aid to Argentina could be affected if Milei’s coalition did not succeed in legislative elections. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to attend the match. Milei stated he would remain in Argentina due to personal superstition.

The tournament involved coordination among three countries with differing trade and immigration policies. Specific attendance totals, broadcast viewership figures, and economic impact assessments were not included in statements from the White House or FIFA during the final week of the event. Giuliani emphasized that the administration’s investments were intended to produce an event that was secure, open to international visitors, and conducted according to consistent rules.