Trump Praises FIFA World Cup Ahead of Argentina vs. Spain Final

Trump's Enthusiasm for the World Cup

As the highly anticipated final between Argentina and Spain approaches, US President Donald Trump has hailed the FIFA World Cup as an unparalleled tournament, filled with intense competition and unforgettable moments. He commended FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his decisive actions regarding the Folarin Balogun incident, where the US forward received a red card during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, leading to his suspension for the upcoming game against Belgium. Following Trump's intervention, FIFA reviewed the situation and overturned the red card, allowing Balogun to participate against Belgium. Trump remarked, "This World Cup has been extraordinary, marked by fierce competition and memorable moments. The most notable was when they issued that red card to Balogun. I reached out to Infantino to express my concerns, and thankfully, it turned out well without any controversy. Our team secured the victory with all players available."

Infantino's Humorous Response to Trump

'US Should Host World Cup With China' - Infantino Stumps Trump

Trump humorously suggested that FIFA should host the World Cup again, this time excluding Mexico and Canada. However, Infantino playfully countered, proposing that the US co-host the event with China. Trump shared, "We should select the United States again, but leave out Mexico and Canada. Infantino suggested we could partner with China for the next tournament, making travel between games more convenient for players."

Trump Celebrates World Cup Records

'FIFA World Cup Broke All Imaginable Records' - Donald Trump

Expressing his excitement about the FIFA World Cup 2026, Trump noted that the tournament has shattered numerous records. He stated, "This event has truly united the world. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest ever, featuring 16 additional teams, akin to hosting multiple Super Bowls simultaneously."

Praise for Messi and Ronaldo

Trump Lauds Messi, Ronaldo

Trump acknowledged Lionel Messi's pivotal role in Argentina's journey to the final, highlighting his eight goals and two assists. He noted Messi's crucial assists in the match against England, which helped Argentina secure a comeback victory. Trump also praised Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the greatest players, while critiquing England's decision to utilize Harry Kane in a defensive role. He remarked on the questionable tactics employed by Thomas Tuchel during the semifinal, where Argentina capitalized on opportunities to take the lead after initially trailing.

Trump's Remarks at the Gathering

Trump concluded by expressing his admiration for the players, stating, "We have gathered tonight in New York City as we await the final faceoff on Sunday between the two amazing teams, Spain and Argentina. I watched that pass that Messi made...He was well guarded by a great player and then he moved to the right, and the other player was just standing there...He kicked it. It was within, I would say, a quarter of an inch of being perfect. And that was the end of the game. It was brilliant. These great players, they seem to do that over and over again. They're just born with something extra. Ronaldo is one of them. I got to know him over the years and he's a great guy. You have a great player in England who I played golf with, you know that, right? Harry Kane who's been fantastic. They perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player...They took the lead and they took their best player and then put him on defense."