Trump interrupts FIFA president with dig at World Cup chaos
Donald Trump took a wry swipe at the United States’ early World Cup exit during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower, interrupting FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s speech
Donald Trump interrupted Gianni Infantino’s praise of FIFA with a dig about the USMNT’s World Cup exit(Image: Getty)
Donald Trump delivered a cutting jibe at the United States’ premature World Cup exit during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower on Friday, cutting across FIFA president Gianni Infantino as he waxed lyrical about the organisation’s mission of uniting the globe through football.
The incident unfolded as Infantino delivered gushing praise about the World Cup’s accomplishments, painting FIFA’s wider purpose in glowing terms. “Because, I don’t know if you know, but the official definition of FIFA is, FIFA is the official happiness provider to humanity for 120 years,” Infantino said.
“We are providing joy and happiness.” Trump butted in with a sardonic remark: “Unless your team loses.”
Infantino heaped praise onto Trump(Image: MANDEL NGAN, AFP via Getty Images)
The exchange happened during an elaborate celebration of the tournament ahead of Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, reports the Irish Star.
Trump staged the reception in Manhattan, where he and Infantino posed together alongside the World Cup trophy, which the president plans to help present to the winning side.Infantino heaped praise on Trump throughout the gathering, crediting the tournament’s triumph entirely to him.
“You don’t need people to compliment you, Mr. President, but this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you,” Infantino said, describing the event not simply as the finest World Cup but “the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.”
Trump, for his part, described the tournament as “one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history,” and praised America’s overall contribution as host nation. “It’s been a true honor for Americans to share our magnificent country with the world,” Trump said.
“And today, America, it’s stronger and wealthier and hotter than ever before, and you’re a big part of it.”
Beyond the debate surrounding the USMNT’s early exit, Trump used the moment to float future World Cup hosting proposals, suggesting the United States should take sole responsibility next time around.
“You should choose the United States of America again,” Trump said. “This time, we will leave Canada and Mexico out.”
He went on to recommend that FIFA should “pick somebody else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.”
Trump also revealed that Infantino had privately floated a joint U.S.-China hosting deal for a future tournament, quipping that players would benefit from “a nice short flight in between games.”
The gathering also gave Trump another chance to revisit his role in the controversial overturning of Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban during the tournament – a decision that sparked fierce condemnation from UEFA and international observers after Trump admitted personally reaching out to Infantino to demand a review. “Gianni made yet another of his good decisions,” Trump said on Friday, later adding, “You made another great decision. You’ll never get credit for that.”
