Trump celebrates the World Cup as a US victory as he presents trophy to the winner, Spain
President Donald Trump presented the World Cup trophy to Spain following their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final match. The event took place in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, marking the culmination of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Trump described the tournament as a success for the U.S., stating at a FIFA reception in New York City that the country had become a “soccer country” and that the event had brought the world together. He also suggested that the U.S. should host the tournament again in the future, proposing a bid to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The final match saw Spain secure their win against defending champion Argentina. Following the presentation by Trump and Infantino, the Spanish team celebrated their victory.
Tournament Logistics and Controversies
The organization of the World Cup involved navigating various logistical challenges over more than a year. The White House had to manage the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which had barred fans from some qualifying countries from entering the U.S. Additionally, there were concerns raised by human rights groups and backlash over high ticket prices.
Before the tournament commenced, local authorities and FIFA had disagreements regarding transit costs. The administration also faced scrutiny for its visa decisions, including denying entry to a referee from Somalia. The administration also grappled with an Iranian team whose fans and some supporting personnel were barred from the U.S.
Despite these issues, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, noted that the focus eventually shifted to the events on the pitch and the cultural experiences of fans. He highlighted that the administration had invested billions in federal funding to ensure the World Cup was a secure event that welcomed the world and was filled with integrity.
One notable controversy involved a phone call from Trump to Infantino earlier in the month, requesting a review of a referee’s decision in Team USA’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee had issued a red card to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, which would have prevented him from playing in the subsequent match against Belgium. FIFA later reversed the call, and Trump acknowledged Infantino’s decision at the FIFA reception.
Diplomatic Engagements and Future Hosting
The World Cup final also served as a platform for diplomatic interactions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and members of Spain’s royal family attended the game. Also present were Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite ongoing tensions with the U.S. president.
Trump had previously threatened Canada with tariffs due to concerns about air quality from wildfires affecting parts of the U.S. He also mentioned that he might consider future World Cup bids that exclude Mexico and Canada. The last meeting between the leaders of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico occurred at the World Cup draw in Washington in December.
The U.S. is also scheduled to host other major sporting events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., whose home state hosted the final, observed that the tournament’s logistics had largely proceeded smoothly, with any issues being outweighed by the overall joy and excitement.
Trump arrived at Sunday’s final via Marine One and was seen in his box seat during the first half, where he observed the World Cup trophy. He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Infantino. Argentina’s President Javier Milei did not attend the game.
The U.S. president has associated his political brand with the World Cup since returning to office in January 2025, having hosted Infantino multiple times. He has often spoken about his role in securing the rights for the U.S. to host the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during his first term. The final match concluded on Sunday.
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Source: apnews.com
