United States President Donald Trump met with his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino at the White House to talk about potential improvements to women's soccer as well as preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., who won a joint bid with Canada and Mexico.
- World Cup 2022 qualifying: All you need to know
The USWNT won the Women's World Cup this year, and following their success, the discussion immediately turned to equal pay with the men's side.
"So thank you very much everybody, Gianni Infantino is the head of FIFA," 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."
Infantino said he is hoping to make the 2026 World Cup the "biggest social event" ever.
"Thank you very much, thank you," the FIFA president said. "Thank you.
"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."