The 2026 World Cup has been a resounding success, for the most part.
Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, prior to the tournament there was some skepticism over just how the newly-expanded 48-team tournament would go.
Concerns over ticket prices grew, and with fans appearing to be priced out of the game, there were fears that some of the incredible stadiums on display would sit empty.
However, that was not the case at all, with fans flocking in from all over the world – if they could get into the country – packed inside some of the most state-of-the-art venues there is to offer.
Some countries faced difficulties, such as Iran who were forced to enter the US only for their matches and had to immediately depart back to their training base in Mexico afterwards.
Of course there were also some difficulties as it pertains to the fans too, with it appearing that some were scammed by FIFA-approved third party ticket resellers.
But, the majority of the month-long tournament, even with the mandatory, but unpopular, hydration breaks, has seen World Cup fever rife, with everyone coming together to witness the spectacle of the beautiful game of football, or soccer as it is known by some.
So much so that US President Donald Trump wants the States to hold the tournament again, only this time without Canada and Mexico.
“What we should do is, you should choose the United States of America again. This time we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out,” Trump said on Friday during a speech at Trump Tower as Infantino, who was stood beside him laughed.
“But then what you do is – which I was very nice to get them in – you choose us, but you pick somebody else for the next one, and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.
“But Gianni also had another idea. He said we could do it – China and the United States the next time. So you have a nice short flight in between games,” he further joked. “The players would love that.”
Of course, the 2030 World Cup is due to take place across Morocco, Portugal and Spain, while the Centenary match hosts will be Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
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The 2034 edition will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, meaning the US wouldn’t be able to host again until at least 2038.
Infantino praises Trump for his World Cup role
Of course, the President dominated the headlines due to his huge role in the biggest story of the tournament – USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension.
Having been sent off for an awkward challenge on Tarik Muharemovic in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32, the red card was later reviewed and suspended for a year, allowing Balogun to re-enter the starting XI for a crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
It was later exclusively revealed by talkSPORT Infantino had received a call from Trump asking him to review the red card.
But that’s not all – Infantino has also come under fire for alleged ‘pro-Argentina bias’ throughout the tournament, with Lionel Messi having now guided his nation to the Final where they will take on Spain in New Jersey on Saturday.
With a good relationship between the pair, Infantino took advantage of his opportunity to thank Trump for the role he has played at this World Cup.
“I say this because it is the truth,” Infantino said, “We don’t need people to compliment you Mr President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you.
“Your administration. Every single person in the White House, in the cities, in the States, everywhere contributed to create this safe and secure, and joyful, environment to lift something that the world has never seen.
“This is not just the greatest World Cup of all time, it is the greatest human, social, and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed. We are all part of it, and for this I thank you very much Mr President.”
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