President of the United States Donald Trump met International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino at the White House on Tuesday.
The duo reportedly discussed improvements which could be brought to women’s football in general and the preparations regarding the FIFA 2026 World Cup which will be organised in the United States after they had won a joint bid along with Mexico and Canada.
The United States Women’s National Team won the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year and following their historic win the discussion has quickly turned towards equal pay with the men’s team which is far less successful at the International circuit but the players of which are still being paid more handsomely.
“So thank you very much everybody, Gianni Infantino is the head of FIFA,” President Trump told reporters. “He’s the biggest man in soccer and we are — as you probably know — getting the World Cup in 2026 for the United States.
“Some of it is a partnership with Mexico and Canada and it’s coming into the United States for a large percentage of the games and we’re very excited about it.
“Plus, Gianni and I just had a meeting on women’s soccer and what everybody’s going to do to make that even better and more equitable, etc., etc.
“So Gianni thank you very much. We had a great meeting. Very big though, we’re getting the World Cup in 2026 so that’s a big thing. Gianni thank you for being here,” he added.
In response to this statement, FIFA President Infantino replied that he is hoping to make the 2026 World Cup the “biggest social event” ever.
“Thank you very much, thank you,” the FIFA president said.
“Well, indeed, it’s fantastic to be here and to boost even more soccer in this country — soccer which is the No. 1 global sport. World Cup 2026, taking place here but we start already now.
“It’s the biggest event ever. It’s more than four billion viewers all around the world and we will make it the biggest not only sports event but the biggest social event that we can think of.
“Soccer, which is a big part of this country as well, and women’s soccer where you are world champion, there is much more to do.
“The president was saying this to me and he’s right and we are working on that and we will announce very soon some new initiatives. Thank you,” he concluded.