Many feared a US World Cup under Trump would be a disaster. Its legacy will prove otherwise

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in the United States, delivered a blockbuster outcome that contradicted dire predictions. Per The Conversation, the tournament drew six point five million fans, achieving a ninety-nine point seven percent average stadium occupancy—surpassing the previous two World Cups combined. Record television audiences across multiple markets suggest a new global viewership record. The tournament faced controversies: Iran and Haiti, both under full bans, were permitted to compete, as were Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire despite partial bans. The most damaging incident involved President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. After Trump called Infantino, the disciplinary committee suspended a one-match ban for US player Folarin Balogun, prompting an ethics complaint against Infantino with the International Olympic Committee. Yet for fans worldwide, the defining memory centered on athletic excellence, not administrative intrigue. The expanded forty-eight-nation format vindicated itself: smaller nations performed well, and African teams excelled, with nine of ten qualified nations reaching the knockout stage. Spain dominated Argentina in New Jersey—a reminder, The Conversation observes, that what happens on the pitch matters far more than FIFA's politics.

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