Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino Call 2026 World Cup a Success; Claim It 'United the World'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino lauded the 2026 World Cup as a resounding success, emphasizing its role in uniting people globally, and specifically praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for his contribution to the event. The two men appeared together in New York, where Infantino presented figures such as full stadiums and high television viewership as proof that the "biggest World Cup in history" had met expectations.

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The American dream, Mr. President, it became reality. We united the world.

"The American dream, Mr. President, it became reality," Infantino declared, standing alongside Trump. "We united the world." Trump, who hosted a reception for Infantino and international football stars at Trump Tower, reciprocated the praise. He called the World Cup "one of the greatest sporting events of all time," adding that it had captivated more than just the sports world.

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You don't need people to congratulate you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you.

Infantino also spoke at the United Nations earlier that day, participating in a session on how football can foster mental health in young people. He brought an official match ball for the final to the UN, describing it as "a magical object that has the power to unite the world." He reflected on the current global climate, noting, "We hear it many times, don't we, that we live in a divided world, that we live in an aggressive world, that there are so many things that divide us, that create problems for us."

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This World Cup has been one of the greatest sporting events of all time in history.

However, Infantino asserted, "But we also know, 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 unite us than things that divide us." The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams and matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to be the largest in history. FIFA reports that stadiums have been nearly full for the 102 matches played so far, with total attendance expected to reach a record approximately 6.7 million, despite earlier concerns about ticket prices and immigration potentially deterring fans.

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But we also know, 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 unite us than things that divide us.