President Donald Trump used a Friday evening reception at Trump Tower in New York City to push for the United States to host the FIFA World Cup alone in the future, dismissing the joint hosting arrangement with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 tournament. Speaking ahead of the final match between Argentina and Spain, Trump told FIFA President Gianni Infantino, “You should choose the United States of America again. This time we will leave Canada and Mexico out.”
The president’s remarks came during a glitzy event celebrating the current World Cup, which has drawn global attention. He suggested that FIFA should “pick somebody else” to “take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone,” a comment that appeared to reference the political tensions surrounding the tournament’s hosting.
Trump’s call for a solo US bid ignores the fact that FIFA has already awarded the 2030 World Cup to a six-nation coalition: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The 2026 tournament is set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, a decision that Trump now seems eager to overturn.
The president also revisited his controversial intervention in a World Cup match between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he claimed to have called Infantino to “make a recommendation” against a red card for US forward Folarin Balogun. The suspension was subsequently reversed, sparking allegations of corruption from soccer fans worldwide. Trump called the reversal an “unforgettable” moment, saying, “You know, it was so much better the way it worked out because there’s no controversy. They won the game, and our team had all of its players.” He added, “You made another great decision, if you think about that. No, you’ll never get credit for it,” addressing Infantino directly.
The red card incident has been a flashpoint, with critics accusing Trump of exerting improper influence over the sport’s governing body. The president’s appearance at the reception comes amid other controversies, including his recent attempts to revive unsubstantiated election fraud claims and his expansion of Iran strikes. The reception itself was held as wildfire smoke from Canada drifted over the region, a topic Trump has leveraged to threaten new tariffs on Canada.
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is set for Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Trump is scheduled to help present the championship trophy to the winning team, a role that underscores his desire to remain in the global spotlight.
Political analysts note that Trump’s push for a solo US World Cup aligns with his broader “America First” agenda, though it also risks alienating neighboring allies. The president’s comments have drawn mixed reactions, with some praising his boldness and others criticizing his casual dismissal of Canada and Mexico.
