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Trump celebrates the World Cup as a US victory as he prepares to present trophy to the winning team
By Seung Min Kim And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 6 min read
President Donald Trump is set to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain. But to him, the real victor of soccer’s premier tournament just might be the United States.“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump s...
Key takeaway “It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said Friday at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own experience with large-scale international events, such as the annual Fiesta San Antonio, suggests that the city could have played a significant role in hosting World Cup games, had it been selected as a venue. The logistical challenges and tensions between local authorities and FIFA, as seen in other host cities, could have been mitigated by San Antonio's existing infrastructure and experience in managing big events. The fact that the World Cup ultimately shifted focus from controversy to celebration, with fans from around the world enjoying American culture, is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together. As San Antonio continues to grow and develop its own international profile, the city may look to the World Cup as a model for hosting successful global events, and consider how it can leverage its unique cultural heritage to attract future international competitions.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump is set to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain. But to him, the real victor of soccer’s premier tournament just might be the United States.“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Seung Min Kim And Josh Boak, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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