With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now officially over, United States President Donald Trump has described the tournament as “the most successful World Cup in history,” praising both its organization and its nationwide atmosphere.
The expanded 48-team tournament attracted more than 6.81 million spectators, setting a new all-time World Cup attendance record and marking the biggest edition the competition has ever seen.
Despite several controversial moments—including mandatory cooling breaks and debates surrounding refereeing decisions—the tournament was widely praised for its commercial success, fan engagement, and record-breaking crowds.
For many football fans following the competition on 12B Sports, the 2026 edition will be remembered as one of the most ambitious World Cups ever staged.
Speaking after the tournament concluded, Trump highlighted what he believed were the event’s biggest achievements.
According to the U.S. President, the competition was organized without major security incidents, large-scale protests, or significant disruptions.
“We just hosted the World Cup, and it was fantastic. It was the most successful World Cup in history.”
Trump also claimed that every match generated an atmosphere comparable to America’s biggest sporting event.
“Every game felt like a Super Bowl. There was no chaos.”
He added that visitors from around the world left with a more positive impression of the United States.
“People fell in love with this country. I saw the passion from every nation, and nobody wanted to leave.”
Trump also praised the sense of unity created during the month-long competition.
He explained that he intentionally waited until after the World Cup final before publicly discussing the tournament’s success, believing the focus should remain on the football itself until a champion had been crowned.
According to Trump, the event demonstrated how sport can bring together supporters from every corner of the world despite different cultures and backgrounds.
He also argued that organizing the expanded 48-team competition required significantly greater logistical planning than previous editions.
Although attendance records were shattered, the tournament was not entirely free from controversy.
Several refereeing decisions generated intense debate throughout the competition, while FIFA’s mandatory cooling breaks due to high temperatures divided opinions among players, coaches, and supporters.
One of the most discussed incidents involved the handling of a red-card decision during the tournament, prompting widespread debate across football media.
Even so, those controversies ultimately failed to overshadow what became the highest-attended World Cup in history.
Supporters using 12B Sports witnessed a tournament filled with dramatic comebacks, record-breaking performances, and one of the busiest schedules FIFA has ever delivered.
Despite his enthusiasm, Trump acknowledged that the United States will not be able to bid for the next FIFA World Cup because future host nations have already been allocated under FIFA’s long-term hosting cycle.
Still, he made no secret of his desire to welcome another World Cup as soon as possible.
“I want to host another World Cup immediately, but unfortunately we won’t have the opportunity to bid for the next one.”
Whether it will ultimately be remembered as the greatest World Cup in history remains a matter of opinion.
What cannot be disputed is its historic scale.
The first-ever 48-team World Cup produced record attendance, expanded global participation, unforgettable knockout matches, and several historic individual achievements that will be remembered for years to come.
As discussions continue among supporters on 12B Sports, the 2026 tournament has undoubtedly raised expectations for every World Cup that follows.
