FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sent his congratulations to Donald Trump as he prepares for his return to the White House.
Trump, who has claimed victory in the race against Democratic rival Kamala Harris, is on track to assume office once again.
A Milestone World Cup in 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is shaping up to be a historic event.
This marks the first time the Jules Rimet trophy will return to North America since 1994.
With a revamped structure and a record number of matches, it promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments to date.
Infantino’s Past Collaboration with Trump
Infantino has had multiple discussions with Trump during his previous presidency about the World Cup and the future of FIFA in the U.S.
This collaboration included talks about establishing FIFA’s headquarters in the U.S., a goal realized in 2023.
Infantino’s recent post on Instagram reflected his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament: “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!”
A Groundbreaking 2026 World Cup Format
The 2026 World Cup will introduce a bold new format that has already sparked much debate.
The tournament will expand from 32 teams to 48, with 104 matches—an increase of 50% from previous years.
The three host nations will automatically qualify, and 45 additional teams will secure their spots through regional qualifiers.
This expanded format will lead to a longer tournament, with more matches scheduled each day across the three host countries.
The change marks a significant shift from the tournament’s earlier editions.
In the first four World Cups (1930, 1934, 1938, and 1950), there were only 13 to 16 teams competing.
Over time, this number grew to 24 in 1982 and 32 by 1998, where it remained until now.
Infantino’s Vision for Growth
When Infantino was elected FIFA President, he championed the idea of a 40-team World Cup, and the 2026 tournament will exceed even that.
The expansion is expected to bring in an additional £825 million in revenue and £530 million in profit, which Infantino believes will benefit grassroots football rather than enriching the sport’s elite.
“Expanding the number of teams will increase investment in football development, ensuring that teams are able to qualify and compete at the highest level,” Infantino explained.
Trump’s Legacy and the World Cup
While Donald Trump’s personal involvement in football (or “soccer”) has remained relatively low-key, his administration made a significant commitment in 2018: guaranteeing that no discrimination would be shown toward fans from any country wishing to attend the World Cup.
Despite his limited hands-on involvement in football, Trump once made an unexpected appearance on the Saint & Greavsie show in 1991, where he helped draw the Carabao Cup.
The Impact on Domestic Leagues
The 2026 World Cup’s expanded format comes with challenges, particularly for domestic leagues.
With 12 groups of four teams, the tournament will stretch over 39 days, a week longer than recent tournaments like those in 2010, 2014, and 2018.
This extended schedule is expected to squeeze domestic football campaigns, as countries will have only 16 days between the end of their domestic seasons and the start of the World Cup, compared to 25 days in 2018.
The European Club Association has voiced concerns over the impact this longer tournament will have on club football, fearing a disruption to their domestic fixtures.
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the changes to the tournament’s format and the increasing global influence of FIFA reflect the sport’s growing reach and complexity.
While some challenges remain, the event promises to be a groundbreaking spectacle for both players and fans.
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