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Rabat – US President Donald Trump has told FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the United States intends to seek the right to host another World Cup following the conclusion of the 2026 tournament.
Speaking before Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium, Trump described the competition as a major success and argued that the United States had established itself as a football country.
“Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately,” Trump said during an interview with Fox Sports.
The president suggested that FIFA could reduce opposition to another US tournament by announcing hosts for several editions at the same time.
“We have to do this again, and we have to do it while I’m around,” he added, addressing Infantino directly.
Trump later attended the final, which Spain won 1-0 after extra time, and joined Infantino during the trophy presentation.
Trump celebrates attendance figures
Trump pointed to packed stadiums and the level of public interest as evidence that the tournament had succeeded across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
He said organizers had initially faced the possibility of empty seats but claimed attendance figures demonstrated the strength of demand for World Cup football in North America.
“I don’t think there’s ever been anything like what’s happened with the whole World Cup,” Trump said, describing the tournament as “beautiful” and crediting Infantino for its organization.
The United States staged most matches during the expanded 48-team competition, including the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Trump had backed the successful United 2026 bid during his first presidential term and remained a visible figure in preparations after returning to the White House.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal host next edition
The next World Cup will take place in 2030, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain serving as the tournament’s principal co-hosts.
Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each stage one centenary celebration match marking 100 years since the first World Cup in Montevideo.
Saudi Arabia has already been confirmed as the sole host of the 2034 tournament, meaning 2038 is currently the first edition without an appointed host.
Trump would be 92 years old in 2038, making his statement about hosting another tournament “while I’m around” difficult to reconcile with the existing calendar.
Any future US bid would also need to follow FIFA’s official selection process and comply with its eligibility and confederation rotation rules.
Infantino relationship remains under scrutiny
Trump’s comments also placed renewed attention on his close relationship with Infantino.
That relationship faced criticism during the World Cup after Trump confirmed that he had called the FIFA president to request a review of the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension was later placed on probation, allowing him to play against Belgium in the round of 16. The United States lost the match 4-1 and exited the tournament.
Infantino acknowledged speaking with Trump but denied influencing FIFA’s disciplinary committee, maintaining that the organization’s judicial bodies operate independently.
The incident led to calls for greater scrutiny of FIFA’s decision-making and raised concerns over possible political influence in football governance.
Trump nevertheless continued to commend Infantino before the final and said the tournament’s success justified bringing the World Cup back to American soil.
For now, however, international football’s attention will turn toward Morocco, Portugal and Spain as the three countries prepare to welcome the world in 2030.
