Trump floats fresh US World Cup bid, hints at going solo or even with China | OneFootball

On the eve of the World Cup final, Trump used a reception with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New York to float another United States bid to host the tournament, suggesting it could be staged alone or even with China.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Friday event at Trump Tower also saw him wish both finalists well. He will attend Sunday’s Spain v Argentina final, with attention on his interactions in the boxes alongside political rivals including Pedro Sánchez.

Infantino hailed this World Cup as the best in history and an unmatched cultural moment. Trump said the United States should be chosen again, adding that Canada and Mexico would be left out next time, and joked about a joint edition with Beijing to shorten flights.

He also addressed the row he sparked by phoning Infantino to ask for a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card before the USA’s meeting with Belgium, quipping that he had simply recommended the striker be allowed to play.

The final will bring Trump into the same venue as Sánchez, with the King and Queen, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía also due to attend. Tensions between Madrid and Washington have grown, with Sánchez rejecting US use of joint air bases for the conflict with Iran and questioning a rise in NATO spending to 5% of GDP.

At an 8 July news conference in Ankara during the alliance summit, Trump described Spain as a poor NATO partner that does not participate or pay, said he wanted nothing to do with the country, and called them useless and bad people. Asked if those remarks meant he would back Argentina, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she did not know.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo