Trump Frames World Cup As A U.S. Victory As He Prepares To Present Trophy To Winning Team

Trump to Present FIFA World Cup Trophy at Argentina-Spain Final

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at the stadium in New Jersey. Trump attended a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday, where he commented on the tournament’s impact in the United States.

“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 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico under an agreement reached years earlier. The final is the first match Trump will attend in person. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also spoke at the reception.

For the White House, the match marks the end of planning that began after the host selection. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the administration focused on security, fan access and event operations. “One of the things that we talked about beforehand was, if we’re talking about what happened on the pitch, then we’ve done our job,” Giuliani said. “But I think it’s even better than that. We’re not just talking about only the incredible, athletic feats on the pitch, but we’re talking about all these incredible, incredible cultural moments.”

The tournament featured matches across multiple venues. Giuliani noted federal funding supported logistics and officiating standards. He said the administration viewed its role as ensuring the event maintained integrity through video review processes and other measures.

Trump described a telephone conversation he had with Infantino earlier in the month regarding a red card issued to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun during a group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The card had sidelined Balogun for the subsequent game against Belgium. Trump said he asked for a review of the decision. FIFA later reversed the call. At the reception, Trump told Infantino, “you made another great decision, if you think about it,” noting the player’s continued availability even though the United States lost that match 4-1.

Giuliani said the administration had a duty to raise questions about officiating procedures when they involved video review and replay. He linked those inquiries to the broader investment in the tournament’s operations.

The United States is also scheduled to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Giuliani said preparations for future events include attention to eligibility rules. He stated that part of securing additional hosting rights involves “ensuring that, in fact, women and only women will play in that 2031 Women’s World Cup.”

Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., whose state is hosting the final, described the tournament’s atmosphere as largely positive. “Overall, just the joy that people have, the excitement that they have, has dramatically outweighed” occasional issues such as transit, Kim said. He has attended games with his sons.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are expected at the final. Sheinbaum said she accepted the invitation from Trump. “I received an invitation from President Trump to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and I decided to go because it’s a direct invitation from the President of the United States,” she said. “Prime Minister Carney will also be there.”

Trump has not stated a preference between the two finalists. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to attend. Argentine President Javier Milei will remain in Argentina, citing superstition.

At the reception, Trump joked that FIFA should select the United States again for a future tournament “this time, we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out.” The comment followed earlier remarks about tariffs on Canada related to cross-border air quality concerns from wildfires.

The co-hosting arrangement for 2026 was established prior to the current administration. No large-scale disruptions tied to entry policies or security measures were reported at match venues during the tournament. Social media posts from attendees highlighted fan experiences at games and surrounding areas.

Trump, following standard practice for the head of state of the host nation, will hand over the trophy after the final. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed to this report.