FIFA President Gianni Infantino has extended congratulations to Donald Trump on his presidential victory as Trump prepares to return to the White House.
Trump’s victory is considered a significant development, according to Persecondnews, especially considering that the United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be groundbreaking, featuring a new 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.
The three host nations and 45 qualifiers will compete in 12 groups of four teams.
Infantino’s congratulatory message on Instagram on Wednesday expressed optimism about the upcoming World Cup.
“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 will not be the first time Trump and Infantino have worked together.
The two met during Trump’s first presidency to talk about the World Cup and the potential establishment of FIFA headquarters in the USA, which took place in 2023.
The 2026 World Cup format has generated significant discussion, with some expressing concerns about the impact on domestic fixtures for clubs.
The European Club Association opposed the move due to fears about the tournament’s length and scheduling.
Despite these concerns, Infantino remains committed to the expanded format, citing the potential for increased investment in football development.
“Increasing the size of teams which can participate will increase the investment in football development to make sure that the teams can qualify,” he said.
The Trump administration has previously promised that there will be no discrimination against fans from any country wanting to visit the World Cup, a commitment that will be closely watched.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, football fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the tournament’s return to North America for the first time since 1994.
With Trump’s victory, attention will now turn to how his administration will support the tournament’s success.
Meanwhile, other world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have also congratulated Trump on his victory.
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