New york city: President Donald Trump is set to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday's final between Argentina and Spain. But to him, the real victor of soccer's premier tournament just might be the United States.
According to France24.com, Trump expressed his satisfaction at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City, stating, "It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it's going to remain." The event marked the culmination of over a year of logistical challenges navigated by the White House alongside co-hosts Canada and Mexico for what has been the largest World Cup in history.
The administration faced criticism over its hardline migration policies, which barred fans from certain World Cup qualifier countries from entering the United States. This was compounded by warnings from human rights groups and backlash over high ticket prices. Trump's consideration of moving games out of cities that did not cooperate with federal immigration authorities added to the tension. Local authorities also sparred with FIFA over high transit costs, further complicating the event's preparations.
As the tournament commenced, the administration faced global scrutiny for its visa decisions, such as denying entry to a celebrated Somali referee. The situation escalated following a conflict with Iran, which affected the Iranian team's participation. Despite these challenges, the broader narrative of the World Cup shifted positively, with social media showcasing global fans enjoying American culture.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, highlighted that the administration's focus was on the sporting and cultural experiences, rather than just the games. However, controversy arose when Trump requested a review of a referee's decision against US star forward Folarin Balogun, which FIFA reversed, allowing the player to participate in a subsequent match.
The Trump administration was under significant pressure to ensure a successful World Cup, with future events such as the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2034 Winter Olympics on the horizon. The US is also expected to host the 2031 Women's World Cup, contingent upon the Trump administration's opposition to transgender women participating in women's sports.
Senator Andy Kim, D-N.J., noted the logistical success of the tournament, with excitement and joy outweighing any minor issues. However, broader tensions with co-hosts Canada and Mexico persisted, particularly with Trump's tariffs and trade negotiations.
Despite these geopolitical tensions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plan to attend the final at Trump's invitation, demonstrating soccer's ability to bridge divides. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also intends to attend, while Argentine President Javier Milei will not, citing superstition.
As Trump prepares to present the trophy, he has remained publicly neutral regarding his preferred team, despite political tensions with Spain and a favorable relationship with Argentina's President Milei.