FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already secured its place in history, describing the expanded tournament as a global triumph that united millions of people across borders, cultures and continents.
Speaking at both the United Nations and a FIFA reception in New York ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain, Infantino celebrated what he considers the most successful World Cup ever staged, pointing to record-breaking attendance figures, packed stadiums and worldwide television audiences as evidence that football continues to be the world’s greatest unifying force.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the first to feature 48 nations and 104 matches.
Despite concerns before kick-off over travel restrictions, ticket prices and logistics, FIFA says the competition has exceeded expectations both on and off the pitch.
Standing alongside United States President Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, with the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy on display, Infantino praised the hosts for delivering a memorable spectacle.
“The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world.”The FIFA president also credited Trump for his support throughout the tournament.
“You don’t need people to compliment you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you.”
Trump responded by calling the competition one of the greatest sporting events ever staged.
“One of the all-time greatest sporting events in history.”
He concluded by wishing both finalists success ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
“So good luck to Spain and Argentina on Sunday and may the best team win.”
The numbers behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup underline why FIFA considers the tournament a landmark success.
More than 6.7 million spectators are expected to attend matches before the competition concludes, making it the highest-attended World Cup in history.
Stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico have consistently been close to capacity throughout the month-long festival of football.
The expanded format initially attracted criticism from sections of the football community, with concerns that increasing the field from 32 to 48 teams could dilute the quality of the competition.
Instead, several emerging football nations exceeded expectations, producing memorable performances and proving the value of broader global representation.
For Infantino, that validates FIFA’s long-term vision of making the World Cup a truly global event.
Earlier on Friday, the FIFA president addressed delegates at the United Nations during a special session focusing on youth mental health.
Holding one of the official match balls that will be used in the World Cup final, Infantino described football as a unique force capable of bringing people together despite political, cultural and geographical differences.
“A magic object which has the power to unite the world.”
He continued by reflecting on football’s broader social impact.
“We hear it many times, don’t we, that we live in a divided world, that we live in an aggressive world, that there are so many things that divide us, that create us problems.
“But we know as well, and if there is one thing, if there is one thing that this World Cup has shown us and is showing us, we know that there are many more things that bring us together than things that divide us.”
Infantino also pledged FIFA’s continued support for initiatives promoting youth mental health, insisting football should be used as a platform to inspire positive social change beyond the game itself.
While FIFA has celebrated the tournament’s achievements, the World Cup has not been without controversy.
Political tensions occasionally overshadowed the football, including issues surrounding Iran’s participation and diplomatic disagreements following Argentina’s semi-final victory over England.
FIFA also faced criticism after overturning the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun following intervention from President Trump—a decision that sparked debate across the football world.
Nevertheless, tournament organisers have pointed to the absence of major security incidents and the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere across host cities as further evidence of the event’s success.
Attention now shifts to MetLife Stadium, where Argentina and Spain will contest the World Cup final in what promises to be a fitting conclusion to a tournament packed with drama, unforgettable moments and historic milestones.
For Infantino, however, the competition has already achieved something even greater than crowning a champion.
“In two days, we will know if Spain or Argentina will be the world champion. But what we know already, dear friends, is that football is not just the most popular sport in the world, but football has definitely become that common, that universal language that everyone speaks because everyone wants to come together.”
As the curtain prepares to fall on the biggest World Cup ever staged, FIFA believes the legacy of unity, inclusion and global connection will endure long after the final whistle.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
