Trump didn’t know much about the game before this year’s tournament, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but was captivated by some of the great plays, including Argentina star Lionel Messi’s winning pass.
Argentina defeats England to advance to FIFA World Cup finals
Argentina defeated England 2-1 and booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup finals. Seth Bartelny and Megan Hall have advanced through the semi-finals and will look to face Spain.
President Donald Trump’s family is getting into the soccer spirit of the FIFA World Cup.
He told a FIFA reception in New York that his children are big soccer fans and that many of his family will be attending the championship game between Argentina and Spain on July 19.
“Who wouldn’t go there?” Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino at an event at Trump Tower on July 17. “If we had 10 million more tickets, we would have sold all the tickets.”
Trump didn’t know much about soccer until the tournament was held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, she said that her “very tall son” Barron enjoys sports. When the president asked how he would react if a fast player from the final four teams in the tournament (Argentina, England, France and Spain) outmaneuvered him, his son said that would not happen.
“He said, ‘Dad, I’m a very good ball handler,'” Trump said. “I said, ‘But Baron, what if he’s faster?’ ‘Dad, he never ignores me,’ I said, ‘but when he does.’ He didn’t want to answer that question. ”
Trump added: “He has great skills.”
Trump said first lady Melania Trump plans to watch the game with her father, Victor Gnyahus, who was a soccer player in his youth.
“He didn’t make it to the big leagues yet, but he’s a great athlete,” President Trump said.
President Trump said he became obsessed with sports after watching Argentina star Lionel Messi play, including his precise pass that scored the winning goal against England.
“He was well protected,” Trump said. “Then he moved to the right and his opponent just stood there. He had plenty of time to kick. I’d say he was within a quarter of an inch of perfection. That’s when the game was over. It was great.”
Spectators from 200 countries watched 104 games in 16 cities. Trump asked Infantino if the World Cup was bigger than the Olympics.
“It’s much bigger,” Infantino said to applause.
Trump didn’t want to jinx anything. But he said 50 federal agencies have provided security, expedited visas and awarded $1.2 billion in transportation grants.
“Together, we pulled it off perfectly,” President Trump said, with Infantino standing next to him.
As for the championship game, Trump declined to predict a winner.
“It’s going to be something really special,” he said.
