In a gesture of goodwill, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the 2024 US presidential election.
Trump, who previously served as President from 2017 to 2021, defeated Democrat rival Kamala Harris to secure his second term after about four years out of office.
Gianni Infantino’s Congratulatory message on Instagram
Infantino’s congratulatory message on Instagram reads, “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!”
This warm gesture highlights the significance of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be groundbreaking, featuring a revamped format with 48 teams, up from the previous 32.
This expansion will see 104 matches played, a significant increase of around 50% from the 64 matches in previous tournaments.
Furthermore, the three host nations and 45 qualifiers will compete in 12 groups of four teams, necessitating a longer tournament with more matches every day.
FIFA President Infantino has long advocated for a larger World Cup, pledging to create a 40-team tournament during his election campaign.
He believes the increased participation will generate £825 million in extra income and £530 million in extra profit, which will trickle down to grassroots football.
Donald Trump guarantees supporters a peaceful World Cup event
The Trump administration has assured that fans from all countries will be welcome to attend the World Cup, with no discrimination.
While Trump’s personal engagement with football is unclear, he did make a surprise appearance in the 1991 Carabao Cup draw on the Saint & Greavsie show.
However, concerns have been raised about the impact of the expanded tournament on domestic fixtures for clubs.
The European Club Association opposed the move, citing fears of scheduling conflicts and fatigue.
The 2026 tournament will run for 39 days, a week longer than previous editions, and 10 days more than the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the tournament, countries typically require a significant period between the end of the domestic season and the start of the World Cup.
In 2018, this period was 25 days, but for 2026, it has been reduced to just 16 days. This condensed timeline may pose challenges for teams and players.
Despite these challenges, Infantino remains optimistic about the 2026 World Cup’s potential for success.
Trump’s tussle to secure second term as US president
Donald Trump, a Republican, was elected as the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday in a remarkable comeback.
Despite having refused to accept defeat four years ago, Trump instigated a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
He was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.
However, he managed to secure victory by winning in Wisconsin and surpassing the 270 electoral votes required to secure the presidency.
As the world gears up for the 2026 World Cup, Infantino’s congratulatory message to Trump marks the beginning of a new chapter in the tournament’s preparation.
With Trump’s presidency and the expanded tournament format, the stage is set for a thrilling and historic World Cup.
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