Infantino: I Talk to Trump Daily, Hope to Present Trophy Together

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has lauded the expanded 48-team World Cup format as a significant success, noting the strong performance of African nations. "It was a huge success. Every team played at a high level, nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout phase. Last World Cup, there were only five," Infantino said.

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It was a huge success. Every team played at a high level, nine out of ten African teams reached the knockout phase. Last World Cup, there were only five.

Infantino revealed he is in constant communication with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is reportedly enjoying the tournament from home. "He is happy and really enjoys the tournament. He watches all the matches on television because, for security and protocol reasons, he has not yet visited the stadiums live," Infantino stated.

The FIFA chief expressed hope that he and Trump could present the trophy to the tournament winners together, a tradition involving the host nation's president and the FIFA president. "That has always been the plan and how it has always been done, the president of the host country of the final presents the trophy with the president of FIFA. I hope we will do it together," he concluded.

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He is happy and really enjoys the tournament. He watches all the matches on television because, for security and protocol reasons, he has not yet visited the stadiums live.

Looking ahead, Infantino mentioned that FIFA would consider an even further expansion of the World Cup to 64 teams, following the positive reception of the current 48-team format.

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That has always been the plan and how it has always been done, the president of the host country of the final presents the trophy with the president of FIFA. I hope we will do it together.