Trump and Infantino Draw Positive Balance of World Championship in USA Ahead of World Cup Final

Trump joined in the praise, saying: "This was the most successful sporting event, perhaps in all of world history. I thought we were not a soccer country. It turned out we are." He also stated: "The American dream, Mr. President, has come true" – though these words came from Infantino. Both sides expressed mutual satisfaction with the course of the tournament.

Trump also used the occasion to outline his vision for future World Cup editions. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House's FIFA World Cup task force, had previously raised the possibility of a US bid for the 2038 World Cup with 64 teams. Infantino additionally suggested to Trump a joint bid by the USA and China for the next World Cup. Trump responded with a quip: "Those would be nice short flights between the games." How seriously the remarks about the US-Chinese bid were meant remained initially unclear. Infantino did not rule out an imminent increase in the number of participating teams from the current 48 to 64.

Trump Criticizes England's Tactics

Trump had already criticized England head coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics at a FIFA reception in New York. "They were leading and then put their best player in defense … What do I know about coaching? But that was something unusual," Trump said with reference to Harry Kane. England had lost the semifinal against Argentina 1-2. Trump announced that the final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, would be his only visit to a World Cup match.

Spain and Argentina Ahead of the Final

Ahead of the final between Spain and Argentina, more than 80,000 spectators are expected at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is at 9:00 p.m. local time, with Austrian broadcaster ORF1 covering the match live from 6:10 p.m. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that, at Trump's invitation, she would travel to the USA on Sunday, even though she had not attended any of the World Cup matches in Mexico. Mexico, along with the USA and Canada, was a co-host of the tournament.

In the semifinals, Spain had defeated France 2-0. Luis de la Fuente said about Lamine Yamal: "That was painful for him, out of caution we gave him minutes to recover. He's fine today, he trained with the team and he is in optimal form." In the semifinal against France, Yamal had been fouled in the penalty area and won the penalty that gave Spain the 1-0 lead. Spanish midfielder Rodri warned against reducing Argentina to Lionel Messi: "For me he is the best player of all time. He has led his national team, but Argentina is much more than just Messi."

Martínez Battles Injury

On the Argentine side, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is preparing for the final despite an injury. Martínez had broken the ring finger of his right hand on May 20 during the warm-up ahead of the Europa League final in Istanbul. His club Aston Villa won the final against Bundesliga side SC Freiburg 3-0. "My hand still hurts every day," said the 33-year-old. Specialists had advised him to have surgery, but he had postponed it. Since the World Cup round of 16, he has been able to train normally again. Martínez was the starting goalkeeper when Argentina won its third World Cup title in 2022 in Qatar.

France faces England on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. CEST in Miami in the third-place match – it is also the final game for Didier Deschamps. "It is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me. It has taken 25 years of my life, and that shapes you," said the 57-year-old about his time as coach of the Équipe Tricolore.

Capdevila Denied Entry

Meanwhile, an entry incident caused a stir: former Spanish international Joan Capdevila, 2010 world champion, was turned away at the US border. "They denied me because ten years ago I traveled to Iran for a game," said the 48-year-old. His ESTA application had been rejected because of that trip.

Martínez meanwhile sent an emotional message to his teammates: "Enjoy it. In professional football it is very hard to enjoy the moment … Sometimes I cry when we think about everything we have achieved." Infantino summed up the mood with reference to Trump: "Diese WM hat alle Erwartungen übertroffen. Der amerikanische Traum wurde Realität. Wir haben die Welt vereint in Amerika."