STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised one another on Friday (July 17), hailing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a success as the tournament nears its conclusion.

Speaking at a reception at Trump Tower in New York City, Trump suggested the United States should host future World Cups on its own or, jokingly, in partnership with China.

"That way you have a nice short flight between games," he quipped.

Infantino described the tournament as "the American dream" brought to life and thanked Trump for his support in helping stage the competition.

The World Cup concludes on Sunday (July 19), when Argentina face Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (JULY 17, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, AND FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, WALKING ON STAGE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"Our great FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. There's nobody like him, actually, very few. And the entire team at FIFA for their incredible work. I've met so many of them. I see why you were so successful. Because of the commitment and devotion of the people in this room."

3. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"I suggested that this has been so successful that and I'm, you know, I'm really working these people hard because they really call the shots. They tell Gianni exactly what to do. I say, what we should do is you should choose the United States of America again, this time we'll leave Mexico and Canada out. But then what you do is you, which I was very nice to get them in. But what we do is you leave, you choose us, but you pick somebody else for the next one. And that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone. But Gianni also had another idea. He said we could do it. China and the United States for next time we do, China - United States. So you have a nice short flight in between games."

5. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"My children love soccer. My one son, my very tall son, Barron, loves soccer. He's a good soccer player. He may, I don't know his speed. My little kid he is very tall, I don't know, I said when some guy gets by you from Spain, from Argentina, from France. Barron, what happens? From England, what happens Barron? He said, 'Dad, I'm a very good ball handler. I said, but Barron, if he's faster, what do you do about it? Dad, he'll never get by me. I said, but when he does,' and he didn't want to answer that question. So speed, I think, is quite important in this sport. Do you agree?"

7. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"I watched Messi and he was well guarded, right? Well guarded, and all of a sudden he's standing on the right. You understand what I'm talking about? I don't know, I didn't, I just noticed it. Nobody talked about it. I just noticed it. I said, he's so well guarded by a great player. And then he moved to the right, and the other player was just standing there and he had plenty of time. He kicked it. It was within, I would say, a quarter of an inch of being perfect. And that was the end of the game. It was brilliant. And these great players, they seem to do that over and over again. They're just born with something extra special. I know that Ronaldo is one of them. I got to know him over the years and he's a great guy. You have a great player in England who I played golf with, you know that, right? And he is Harry, who's been fantastic. I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player. What do I know about soccer? They took the lead and they took their best player and then put him on defense. Then somehow, you know we got to be a little offensive right? But no, I'm not going to call it, what do I know about coaching?"

9. WORLD CUP TROPHY NEXT TO LECTERN

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"The American dream, Mr. President, came to reality. We united the world."

11. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"When, we met the first time, Mr President, in 2018, in the summer after the award of the decision, I promised you we would make a great World Cup. And, by all means, this World Cup has exceeded all expectations."

13. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"This World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you. Your administration, every single person in the White House, in the administration, in the cities, in the states everywhere contributed to create this safe and secure and joyful environment to lift something that the world has never seen. This has not just been and is not just the greatest World Cup of all times. It is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed and seen. And we are all part of it and for this, I thank you very much, Mr President."

15. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, IN EXCHANGE WITH TRUMP:

"I don't know if you know, but the official definition of FIFA is, we are FIFA is the official happiness provider to humanity since 120 years. So we are providing joy and happiness."

TRUMP: "Unless the team loses."

INFANTINO: "Unless the team loses, of course.''

17. FIFA RECEPTION IN PROGRESS

18. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING:

"One country will be the world champion. But, the world has already won. America has won, FIFA has won. And, uniting the world in such a way as we did this summer, giving unforgettable experiences and memories to millions, to billions of people all over the world, is something that we will take with us and cherish forever."

19. INFANTINO AND TRUMP STEPPING OFF STAGE