FIFA President Gianni Infantino extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his re-election to the US presidency, emphasizing the significance of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This tournament marks the first return of the World Cup to North America since 1994, with Infantino describing it as an “historic event” due to its expanded format and scale.
The 2026 World Cup will debut with a record-breaking 48 teams, up from the usual 32, competing across 104 matches an increase of 50% in the number of games played compared to previous tournaments.
This expansion will create 12 groups of four teams, extending the tournament duration to 39 days, making it the longest in World Cup history.
Despite some concerns raised by European clubs about the impact on domestic schedules, Infantino has maintained that the new format will deliver additional revenue streams that are expected to significantly bolster grassroots football initiatives worldwide.
In his Instagram post on Wednesday, Infantino expressed optimism about the upcoming event and shared his vision of “football as a unifying force.”
He said, “Congratulations Mr. President! We will have a great FIFA World Cup and a great FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America! Football Unites the World!”
Infantino and Trump have previously met multiple times to discuss preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across various cities in the US, as well as select locations in Canada and Mexico.
The event is anticipated to bring an economic boost to the host countries, as millions of fans are expected to attend, with ticket sales, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting rights generating billions in revenue.
Trump’s re-election also signifies a continuation of the strong support he offered during his first term, as his administration played a key role in backing the US-led bid to secure hosting rights for the 2026 tournament.
