FIFA President Infantino Brings World Cup Trophy to Trump Tower, Trump Steals Spotlight with Jokes and Surprise Hosting Proposal

On the eve of the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the football world was split between two main events in Manhattan. While players and coaches from both teams gathered at the Jacob Javits Center for official press conferences and a FIFA panel, FIFA President Gianni Infantino took the World Cup trophy to Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. There, U.S. President Donald Trump greeted Infantino, turning the formal event into a lengthy personal show filled with jokes, political quips, and football anecdotes.

Infantino praised the 2026 World Cup as exceeding all expectations, highlighting that over seven million fans attended stadiums, tens of millions participated in host city events, and billions watched on television. He called the tournament "the greatest human, social, and cultural event humanity has ever seen" and credited Trump and his administration for their support. Trump responded by recalling his initial skepticism about hosting the World Cup in the U.S., joking about his family’s love of soccer and sharing humorous stories about players like Harry Kane and Lionel Messi.

Trump also analyzed England’s tactical decisions during the semifinals and expressed surprise at how the U.S. had embraced soccer. The highlight came when Trump half-jokingly suggested that the U.S. should host the next World Cup alone, excluding Canada and Mexico, and even proposed a joint U.S.-China hosting to allow players short flights between matches. The crowd and Infantino responded with laughter, underscoring the informal and entertaining nature of the event.

This unexpected spectacle at Trump Tower contrasted with the official FIFA activities nearby, illustrating how the World Cup has become a platform for both sport and political theater just before the final match.