FIFA Leader Expresses Gratitude to Trump and Rebuts Critics Such as Klopp - FIFA President Praises Trump, Rebuts Critics such as Klopp
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to return to North America after a 32-year hiatus, as the United States, Mexico, and Canada join forces to host the global football spectacle. The tournament will feature an expanded format, with 48 teams competing, divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The tournament will last 39 days, with a total of 104 matches, up from the previous 64 matches across about 32 days.
The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, a stadium famous for hosting two prior World Cup finals and currently undergoing renovations for enhanced fan experience and sustainability. The final will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
While the extent of President Trump's involvement in the 2026 World Cup remains unclear, recent remarks suggest he has expressed support for FIFA events in the U.S. However, no specific actions or impacts related to the World Cup organization or hosting have been reported.
Meanwhile, opinions among high-profile football figures like Jürgen Klopp regarding the 2026 World Cup and related political involvement are not readily available in the current data. Expanded World Cups and multi-nation hosting have drawn mixed reactions in the football community, with concerns about logistics, player fatigue, or the quality of competition with 48 teams.
Notably, the Club World Cup, described by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the most successful club competition in the world, was held in a new expanded format with 32 teams this year. The success of the Club World Cup is crucial for the World Cup with 48 national teams next year in Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Infantino has been vocal in his defence against critics, citing impressive attendance figures and financial results to justify the expanded format. The winner of the Club World Cup final on Sunday will receive 40 million euros. The prize money for the participants, including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, was one billion euros.
Infantino expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his support during the Club World Cup and described the event as entering a "golden age." A total of 2.5 million spectators attended the 63 games in the Club World Cup, with an average of 40,000 per match. The Club World Cup final will be broadcast on Sat.1 and DAZN, with a "revolutionary" TV deal that allowed 2 billion viewers worldwide to watch all the games for free.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, anticipation builds for a historic event that promises to transform North America's football landscape.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, ensuring that the tournament's stadiums and infrastructure are sustainable. Interestingly, while the Club World Cup with 32 teams was recently held, its success sets a positive precedent for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 national teams, involving the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
