FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the World Cup’s success has been driven by more than what happened on the pitch.
The remarks came as the 2026 FIFA World Cup heads into its final weekend, with the tournament staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States and expanded to a record 48 teams and 104 matches. FIFA has described it as the biggest edition of the competition to date, with 16 host cities sharing the games.
Speaking to reporters on Friday (July 17), Infantino appeared alongside President Donald Trump to reflect on the tournament and its global impact.
He pointed to the combined hosting duties of the US, Canada and Mexico as a major factor, saying the three nations helped draw huge crowds into stadiums and boosted TV audiences around the world.
Infantino also credited Trump during the appearance, arguing that the president had helped create an atmosphere that brought people together through the competition.
His remarks followed earlier comments in which he said Trump would have a significant role during the World Cup final.
Infantino indicated that Trump would present the trophy to the winners, a moment that is traditionally one of the most memorable parts of the celebration for the victorious team.
The FIFA chief made those comments while speaking at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where the pair attended an event welcoming international soccer players before the final between Argentina and Spain.
Beyond the political spotlight, the tournament has also been framed by FIFA as a landmark sporting event, with matches spread across major stadiums in North America and the final set for Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium.
“The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world.”
“You don’t need people to compliment you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you.”
Trump described the tournament in glowing terms and shared a brief message for the two finalists ahead of Sunday’s match.
President Trump Attends a FIFA Reception https://t.co/vuHIzVSfb8
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 17, 2026
“So good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday and may the best team win,”
Earlier in the day, Infantino also addressed the United Nations, where he spoke about football’s potential benefits for young people’s mental health.
While holding the ball set to be used in the final, he described it as something capable of connecting people across borders.
“a magic object which has the power to unite the world.”
He expanded on that theme by arguing that the tournament had offered a clear example of sport’s ability to bridge division.
“We hear it many times, don’t we, that we live in a divided world, that we live in an aggressive world, that there are so many things that divide us, that create us problems,” Infantino said. “But we know as well, and if there is one thing, if there is one thing that this World Cup has shown us and is showing us, we know that there are many more things that bring us together than things that divide us.”
He said the last six weeks had shown how football can create a sense of shared celebration, both in host countries and far beyond them.
“We have seen millions of people coming together in the last month and a half to the United States, to Canada and to Mexico, but in every corner of the world, coming together in a peaceful way, in a joyful way, wanting to spend time together and wanting to celebrate a moment of community,” Infantino added. “This is the strongest message ever and this is the message on which we have to build our future — a future of community and a future of unity.”
With the final approaching, Infantino said the outcome would decide whether Spain or Argentina lifted the title, but argued the tournament had already made one thing clear.
“In two days, we will know if Spain or Argentina will be the world champion,” Infantino went on the say, before he concluded: “But what we know already, dear friends, is that football is not just the most popular sport in the world, but football has definitely become that common, that universal language that everyone speaks because everyone wants to come together.”