Abu dhabi: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has declared that the FIFA World Cup 2026 has surpassed every expectation set for it and has been the 'greatest FIFA World Cup of all time.' Speaking at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Reception hosted in New York, Infantino praised the United States for its role in the success of the record-breaking tournament.

According to Emirates News Agency, Infantino addressed the gathering, which included FIFA Council members, representatives of FIFA Member Associations from around the world, as well as numerous FIFA Legends. He expressed that the World Cup exceeded all expectations and was not just the greatest tournament but also the greatest human, social, and cultural event ever witnessed. The President extended his gratitude to everyone involved in making the event a global phenomenon.

Infantino highlighted the overwhelming attendance and viewership, with seven million people attending the matches in stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Tens of millions more gathered in the cities, and billions tuned in to watch the action unfold on television. The FIFA President emphasized the historic nature of the event ahead of Sunday's final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The total attendance across the FIFA World Cup 2026 reached 6,665,825, surpassing the combined total of the 2018 and 2022 editions, which was 6,436,020. This number also eclipsed the previous single-tournament record of 3,587,538, set at USA 1994. The average attendance stood at 65,351 per match, with a stadium occupancy rate of 99.7%, marking the highest in FIFA World Cup history.

As the tournament approached its conclusion, the bronze medal match between France and England was scheduled for Saturday in Miami. Meanwhile, the final showdown between Argentina and Spain was set to take place in New York New Jersey, promising a special occasion for football enthusiasts around the world.