Trump Claims World Cup Glory for U.S. as He Prepares to Hand Over Trophy

President Donald Trump is ready to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winner of the final match between Argentina and Spain, but he’s framing the entire tournament as a victory for the United States.

“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump declared at a FIFA reception in New York City. “This has really brought the world together.”

The White House has spent over a year tackling a barrage of logistical hurdles alongside Canada and Mexico, co-hosts of what is being touted as the largest World Cup ever. The administration had to juggle its strict immigration policies, which barred fans from certain countries from entering the U.S.

Human rights groups issued warnings, and ticket prices sparked outrage. Trump even toyed with relocating matches from cities that didn’t comply with federal immigration directives. Tensions escalated as local authorities clashed with FIFA over exorbitant transit costs.

As the tournament kicked off, the administration faced global scrutiny over its visa policies, including denying entry to a Somali referee recognized for his officiating skills. The situation intensified after Trump’s conflict with Iran, complicating matters for an Iranian team whose supporters were barred from entering the U.S. and based in Tijuana.

However, the narrative around the World Cup shifted dramatically. Social media buzzed with stories of international fans relishing American culture, from beer to ranch dressing. Fears of immigration raids near the games never came to fruition.

“If we’re talking about what happened on the pitch, then we’ve done our job,” said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force. “But I think it’s even better than that. We’re not just talking about only the incredible, athletic feats on the pitch, but we’re talking about all these incredible, incredible cultural moments.”

Trump stirred controversy with a phone call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino earlier this month, requesting a review of a contentious referee decision during Team USA’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee issued a red card to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, sidelining him for the next match against Belgium.

Trump claims he merely asked Infantino to reconsider the call. FIFA reversed the decision, and Trump praised Infantino at the reception, stating, “you made another great decision, if you think about it,” allowing the U.S. to retain a key player despite losing 4-1 to Belgium.

Giuliani asserted that the administration had a “duty” to question officiating processes, especially given scrutiny over video reviews and slow-motion replays used to issue the red card. He emphasized that billions in federal funding were invested to ensure the World Cup was not only secure but also maintained integrity.

The pressure was immense for the Trump administration to deliver a successful World Cup, especially with the U.S. set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The U.S. is also expected to be awarded the 2031 Women’s World Cup, although Giuliani noted that securing those hosting rights hinges on ensuring “that, in fact, women and only women will play in that 2031 Women’s World Cup,” referencing the administration's staunch opposition to transgender women in women’s sports.

Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey, a self-proclaimed World Cup superfan whose state is hosting Sunday’s final, remarked that logistics have generally run smoothly despite minor issues like transit hiccups.

“Overall, just the joy that people have, the excitement that they have, has dramatically outweighed” any downsides, Kim stated, having watched games with his young sons.

Broader tensions with co-hosts Canada and Mexico also loomed large. Trump imposed hefty tariffs on both nations upon returning to office and opted not to renew a trade agreement among them, leading to new negotiations.

On Friday, Trump threatened tariffs against Canada due to wildfires affecting air quality in parts of the U.S., including northern New Jersey where the final is set. He quipped that FIFA should choose the U.S. for future World Cups without including Mexico and Canada.

Despite these tensions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plan to attend the final at Trump’s invitation, showcasing how soccer can bridge geopolitical divides.

“I received an invitation from President Trump to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and I decided to go because it’s a direct invitation from the President of the United States,” Sheinbaum confirmed. “Prime Minister Carney will also be there.”

Trump will present the trophy as is customary for heads of state hosting such tournaments but has not publicly revealed his preferred team.

Spain has been a thorn in Trump’s side due to its reluctance to meet NATO defense spending targets and its refusal to allow U.S. military actions against Iran from its bases. Conversely, Argentine President Javier Milei is favored by Trump, who even threatened to cut aid if Milei’s coalition didn’t win legislative elections.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will attend the game while Milei will stay home due to superstition.