Here’s what Trump wants to see happen soon.
President Donald Trump made an unexpected comment Friday about the future of the FIFA World Cup, saying he would like to see the United States host the world’s biggest soccer tournament again—but this time without sharing hosting duties.
Speaking at a FIFA World Cup reception held Friday at Trump Tower in New York City, Trump addressed guests just before Sunday’s title match between Argentina and Spain.
Standing alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump praised the tournament before offering a suggestion that quickly grabbed attention.
“You should choose the United States of America again,” Trump said. “This time we will leave Canada and Mexico out.”
The comment drew laughter from many in attendance and immediately became one of the most discussed moments of the evening.
Trump Jokes About FIFA Leadership
Trump also joked that Infantino should eventually allow someone else to take over leadership of FIFA, saying the position naturally attracts criticism.
“You should pick somebody else,” Trump said, adding that it might help “take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.”
Although Trump’s suggestion generated headlines, FIFA has already selected the host nations for upcoming tournaments.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, continuing FIFA’s recent trend of spreading hosting responsibilities across multiple countries.
Trump Reflects on World Cup Controversy
During his remarks, Trump also looked back on one of the tournament’s most talked-about incidents involving U.S. forward Folarin Balogun.
The president said he contacted Infantino to recommend reconsidering a red card issued to Balogun during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Trump, the suspension was later reversed, allowing the American star to remain eligible.
The decision generated significant debate among soccer fans worldwide, with critics questioning FIFA’s handling of the situation. Supporters, however, argued the outcome benefited the U.S. team heading into the remainder of the tournament.
Looking back on the episode, Trump defended the decision.
“It was so much better the way it worked out because there’s no controversy,” Trump said. “They won the game, and our team had all of its players.”
Turning to Infantino, Trump added, “You made another great decision, if you think about that. You’ll never get credit for it.”
World Cup Final Set for Sunday
The FIFA World Cup concludes Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Argentina and Spain will battle for the championship.
Trump is expected to join FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the postgame ceremony to help present the World Cup trophy to the winning team.
With millions of fans expected to watch around the world, the president’s comments added another memorable political moment to one of the biggest sporting events on the global calendar.