New Jersey hosts World Cup final as Trump celebrates US role and eyes future bids

By Bilal Ahmed

By Bilal Ahmed — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

United States celebrates World Cup success

The United States recently hosted the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina. President Donald Trump presented the trophy to the winning team, but he also highlighted the success of the United States as a host nation. Speaking at a FIFA reception in New York City, Trump remarked that the tournament showed the United States to be a “soccer country” and that it brought the world together.

The White House faced numerous logistical challenges over more than a year, working alongside co-hosts Canada and Mexico for what was anticipated to be the largest World Cup in history. This included navigating migration policies that restricted entry for fans from certain countries that participated in qualifier matches.

Despite initial concerns, the tournament was widely seen as a success. Social media was reportedly filled with stories of fans from around the world enjoying American culture. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, noted that the focus shifted to the athletic and cultural moments of the event.

Trump’s involvement and future aspirations

President Trump arrived at the final via Marine One, the presidential helicopter. Before the game, he suggested another bid for the United States to host the tournament again, proposing to FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the United States could co-host with another country to alleviate potential geopolitical tensions. He stated that based on the numbers, the United States would be requesting to host again “immediately.”

Trump also played a role in a controversial referee decision during the tournament. He contacted Infantino to review a red card issued to USMNT forward Folarin Balogun in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The red card was subsequently reversed, allowing Balogun to play in the next match against Belgium, which the United States lost 4-1.

The president declined to publicly pick a side in the final, though he commented on the difficulty of betting against Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. He was seen smiling and patting the World Cup trophy when it was presented to him in his box seat during the first half of the match.

The United States is also preparing to host other major sporting events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Additionally, the United States is largely expected to be awarded the 2031 Women’s World Cup.

The “Trump sports curse” discussion

President Trump’s comments about Lionel Messi before Argentina’s loss to Spain in the World Cup final have reignited discussions about a potential “Trump sports curse.” This speculation arises from several instances where teams associated with him have experienced losses or setbacks.

For example, the USMNT’s 4-1 loss to Belgium followed Trump’s intervention regarding Folarin Balogun’s red card. The New York Knicks’ only loss during the 2026 NBA Finals occurred in Game 3, which Trump attended. Fans reportedly attributed this loss to a “curse.”

Similarly, the Washington Commanders lost 44-22 to the Detroit Lions in a game Trump attended in November 2025. Following this victory, the Lions experienced a significant decline, losing five of their next eight games and missing the playoffs. The United States also lost the 2025 Ryder Cup to Europe after Trump attended the first day of competition.

Despite these discussions, Trump presented the World Cup trophy to Spain, the winner of the final match.

Source: apnews.com