World Cup winner sends President Donald Trump message ahead of 2026 tournament

Irish Daily Star

30-04-2025

Brazil World Cup winner Gilberto has called on President Donald Trump and the authorities "to solve all their problems" before the 2026 tournament amid concerns over gun violence in the U.S.
In recent editions of the World Cup, concerns were raised over South Africa in 2010,
Brazil
in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022. However, the 2026 joint tournament held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico has raised a different security curveball, with
significant questions raised over gun violence.
Security and safety plans for the 2026 tournament,
which Ireland could qualify for
, have already been submitted in the official bid documents to FIFA before the North American selection. Organizers will put Extensive stadium command centers in place, and security plans for FIFA fan festivals "will be determined based on threat analysis" and will include "elevated security resources in the area of general policing, crowd management, and other appropriate measures."
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In the wake of last year's
Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting
, FIFA reaffirmed its position to work closely with the authorities to assure fans' safety during the global spectacle.
A similar incident occurred at this year's Super Bowl winners' parade
in
Philadelphia
following the Eagles' triumph over the Chiefs in New Orleans.
Brazil World Cup winner Gilberto has called on all key players to ensure fan security at the tournament to iron out any safety concerns before next year's tournament. "I think every World Cup, we raise this question about the concerns. There were concerns at Brazil 2016 about security. In Russia, it was the same," former Arsenal star and
Striver
co-founder Gilberto told the
Irish Star
.
"Then in Qatar we have a great tournament as well. Obviously, I think it's important for every country that hosts this type of competition to solve all their problems because it's important to provide security for the visitors and for their citizens as well, to enjoy the tournament," Gilberto continued. "Football is massive; it's the biggest sport in the world. And as long as we have everything in place in the right place, it's going to be good for the country."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino alongside U.S. President Donald Trump
(Image: Getty)
Gilberto, who has opened up his Striver venture for fans to jump on board and
become investors in the abuse-free social media app
, highlighted soccer's exponential growth in the U.S., especially in the past few years following Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami, where he has also been joined by former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
"You can see the last few years how much football has grown in America, and it will grow even more, in my opinion," Gilberto said on the incentive for a smooth and successful 2026 World Cup. However, another challenge highlighted by Gilberto is the logistics of a multi-country tournament for traveling fans.
Games will be played across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico before the tournament ends with the Final at the
New York Jets
and Giants' MetLife Stadium in
New Jersey
. "I think that the challenge I see for some people who love to watch as many games as they want is the logistics," Gilberto stated. "Travel to Canada, America, then Mexico."
MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup Final
(Image: Getty)
"Unfortunately, in the last few years, football has changed a lot, financially speaking," he continued. "As you can see, there is a lot of investment in football for many reasons, because I think people understood that football is very attractive from a business point of view. And with the great arena, the great investment that people have put into the game, they want to have a return.
"And because of that, the logistics became too expensive, sometimes ridiculously expensive. You know, somehow, the majority of people cannot afford to get a ticket. I hope that people start to think about how an average working class can get a reasonable ticket where he can go to a stadium, enjoy his team or enjoy football, take his family or his son or his daughter or his wife or whatever they want to, and to watch a game because the atmosphere in a football stadium is lovely.
"I still love to go to the games. But sometimes when we see what has been the pricing of the prize the last few years, it's been tough for many people who love to watch the game. Let's see. I hope we find a balance between where those people can get what they want. But don't forget the people who love to be in a football stadium."