United News of Bangladesh

FIFA President Gianni Infantino travelled nearly 60,000 miles and spent more than 100 hours in the air while moving across North America during the 2026 World Cup, the most geographically spread-out edition of football’s biggest tournament. Infantino travelled extensively across the United States, Canada and Mexico for matches, meetings and official events as the tournament was held across three countries, 16 cities and four time zones. The competition will conclude with Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain in New Jersey. An analysis by The Associated Press of flight records of a private jet used by Infantino in recent years, along with photographs and social media posts, found that the FIFA president’s journey during the tournament covered enough distance to circle the Earth nearly two and a half times. Infantino’s extensive travel was made possible through access to a Gulfstream G650 aircraft from the Qatari government’s fleet. The plane is operated by Qatar Airways’ private charter division, with the airline being one of the sponsors of the World Cup. According to flight-tracking data from FlightAware, the aircraft began its tournament journey with a June 9 flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City ahead of the opening match. Since then, it averaged more than one flight per day, with several days involving more than three flights. Apart from attending matches, Infantino’s schedule included visits to New York for a Fox & Friends interview and Miami for a FIFA summit involving representatives from the organization’s 211 member associations. He also travelled to Doha to attend the funeral of Qatar’s former emir before returning to the United States for the World Cup semifinals. FIFA did not respond to requests for comments regarding Infantino’s travel arrangements. By the time the final is played, Infantino is expected to have attended 43 World Cup matches. Flight records showed that the jet was scheduled to travel from New Jersey to Miami for the third-place playoff between England and France but the trip was cancelled due to weather-related delays at New York-area airports. The FIFA president visited all 16 stadiums hosting World Cup matches, with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium being his most frequent destination, where he watched five games. Infantino attended two matches on 13 different days, often travelling between venues hundreds of miles apart. The private jet used 21 airports during the tournament, mostly major international airports in host cities but also smaller aviation facilities. The aircraft crossed international borders 23 times within North America before the semifinals. The jet accumulated around 115 hours of flight time during the tournament, excluding repositioning flights and a 29-hour trip to Qatar for the funeral. The total flight time was equivalent to nearly five days in the air. The longest journey, excluding the Qatar trip, was a five-hour and 44-minute flight from Miami to Seattle, where Infantino attended the Belgium-Egypt match on June 15. The shortest trip was a 28-minute flight from Seattle to Vancouver on July 6. Infantino watched the United States-Belgium match in Seattle before travelling to Vancouver to attend another game the following day. The aircraft travelled 59,281 miles (95,403 kilometres) during the tournament, according to AP’s analysis. The distance exceeded the combined length of round trips between New York and Singapore, Los Angeles and Doha, and London and Perth. The busiest travel day came on June 26, when the aircraft covered 5,772 miles (9,289 kilometres). The journey included flights from Miami to Dallas, then Seattle, before returning to Miami the following morning. Infantino’s travel has also drawn attention because FIFA has pledged to cut carbon emissions linked to the World Cup and related activities by 50 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Environmental groups and climate researchers have warned that the expanded 2026 World Cup, involving three countries and extensive air travel for teams, supporters and officials, could become the most carbon-intensive edition of the tournament in history.

US President Donald Trump is preparing to hand over the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winners of Monday’s final between Argentina and Spain, but he believes the tournament itself has delivered a major victory for the United States. “Turns out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said Friday at a FIFA event at Trump Tower in New York. “This has really brought the world together.” The White House views the final match as the conclusion of more than a year of preparations and coordination with co-hosts Canada and Mexico for what is expected to be the largest World Cup ever held. However, the tournament faced several challenges, including concerns over the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies that affected entry for fans and officials from some qualifying nations. Human rights organizations had raised concerns, while the competition also faced criticism over expensive ticket prices. Trump had previously suggested relocating matches from cities that did not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Local officials and FIFA also clashed over transportation costs in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The administration continued to face international criticism over visa decisions, including the denial of entry to a Somali referee who had received praise for his officiating. Tensions increased further after the United States launched military action against Iran, forcing officials to deal with the Iranian team’s participation as some fans and staff members were unable to enter the country. The team was eventually based in Tijuana, Mexico. Despite the controversies, the narrative surrounding the tournament changed as millions of fans shared positive experiences of American culture and hospitality on social media. Concerns about possible immigration raids near venues also failed to materialize. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said the tournament had exceeded expectations by creating not only memorable sporting moments but also significant cultural exchanges. “We are not just talking about incredible athletic achievements on the field, but also these incredible cultural moments,” Giuliani told The Associated Press. Trump, however, remained involved in one controversy during the tournament after calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of a disputed referee decision during the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The referee had issued a red card to US forward Folarin Balogun, ruling him out of the following game against Belgium. FIFA later overturned the decision. Trump praised Infantino during Friday’s reception, saying the reversal was a “great decision,” although the US eventually lost 4-1 to Belgium. Giuliani defended the administration’s intervention, saying officials had a responsibility to raise concerns about the review process. He also highlighted billions of dollars in federal investment to ensure the tournament was secure and fairly conducted. The successful hosting of the World Cup was considered important for the United States as the country prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The US is also widely expected to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Giuliani said ensuring that “women and only women” compete in the tournament would be part of the hosting process, reflecting the Trump administration’s opposition to transgender women participating in women’s sports. Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey, whose state will host Monday’s final, said the tournament’s positive atmosphere had outweighed logistical problems, including occasional transportation issues. The World Cup also took place amid political tensions between the United States and its co-hosts Canada and Mexico. Trump had imposed tariffs on both countries and decided not to extend a regional trade agreement, leading to new negotiations. On Friday, Trump again threatened tariffs on Canada over wildfire-related air pollution affecting parts of the US, joking that FIFA should choose the United States as host again — “this time, we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out.” Despite the tensions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are expected to attend the final after receiving invitations from Trump. Trump, following World Cup tradition for host nation leaders, will present the trophy after the final but has not publicly revealed which team he supports. Spain has had disagreements with Trump over issues including NATO defense spending and US military operations against Iran. Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Milei has maintained close ties with Trump and his administration. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to attend Sunday’s final, while Milei will remain in Argentina, citing superstition.

France captain Kylian Mbappe became the highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history on Sunday, surpassing Lionel Messi's career tally, but the milestone came in a losing cause as England defeated France 6-4 in the third-place playoff. Mbappe scored twice in the second half to raise his career World Cup goal tally to 22, overtaking Messi's 21 goals. The French forward also finished the 2026 World Cup with 10 goals, moving two ahead of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's leading scorer. However, Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament, still has an opportunity to reduce the gap when defending champions Argentina face Spain in Monday's World Cup final. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said the personal achievement meant little compared to missing out on the final. "I would have preferred not to be the top scorer in history and to be playing in tomorrow's match," he told Fox Sports. France had hoped to reach a third consecutive World Cup final but were eliminated by Spain in the semifinals. Mbappe, who also won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with eight goals, is on course to become the first player to claim the award twice if he remains the tournament's top scorer after Monday's final. His 10-goal haul in this edition equals the third-highest total in a single World Cup. France's Just Fontaine still holds the record with 13 goals in 1958, followed by Hungary's Sandor Kocsis with 11 in 1954, while Germany's Gerd Muller also scored 10 goals in 1970. France trailed 4-0 at halftime before launching an impressive comeback. Mbappe opened the scoring for Les Bleus in the 48th minute and struck again in the 66th minute to set the career World Cup scoring record. Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele also found the net, while Michael Olise provided two assists to take his tournament total to seven, setting a new World Cup record for assists. Reflecting on the performance, Mbappe admitted France had fallen well below expectations in the opening half. "There were two completely different halves. We were stunned in the first half and paid the price. We responded after the break, but it was too late," he said. The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France head coach. Mbappe said the players were disappointed they could not give their coach a winning farewell. "It's unfortunate for the coach because we wanted to win for him. The first half may give the impression that we let him down, but that's not how we wanted his final match to be remembered," he said. Deschamps, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final, described his time in charge as the most rewarding period of his career. "It is the end of a remarkable journey. Since taking charge in 2012, I have always put the French national team first," he said. The French Football Federation is widely expected to appoint former France captain Zinedine Zidane as Deschamps' successor in the coming days.

Bukayo Saka struck a hat trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup third-place playoff on Sunday, capping one of the highest-scoring matches in tournament history. Saka scored twice before halftime and completed his hat trick with a late penalty as England raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before surviving a spirited French comeback to secure third place. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also found the net in the opening half, while Jude Bellingham added England's sixth goal deep into stoppage time to seal the victory. France mounted an impressive second-half fightback through Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Demele. Mbappe scored twice to cut the deficit to 4-3 before England restored its cushion with Saka's penalty and Bellingham's late strike. The 10-goal contest was the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982 and featured the most goals ever scored in a World Cup third-place playoff. England coach Thomas Tuchel described the tournament as a success despite the team's semifinal defeat to Argentina, where the Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead before losing 2-1. "We are fiercely competitive, so it is difficult to celebrate finishing third because our ambition was to reach the final and win the World Cup," Tuchel said. "But this result can help us move closer to the level of teams like Argentina and France." Bellingham's stoppage-time strike took his tournament tally to seven goals, setting a new record for the most goals scored by an England player in a single World Cup. Captain Harry Kane netted six goals in both the 2026 and 2018 tournaments, matching Gary Lineker's tally from the 1986 World Cup. Mbappe's two goals also saw him surpass Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record, taking his career total to 22 goals. The France captain has scored 10 goals in this tournament, putting him two clear of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Messi, who has 21 World Cup goals overall and eight in this tournament, will have one final opportunity to reduce the gap when defending champions Argentina face Spain in early Monday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said he expected Messi to score in the final but admitted he would rather have been playing for the trophy than leading the scoring charts. "I always try to help my team score. Of course, scoring so many World Cup goals is special, but I would have preferred to be playing in tomorrow's final," he said. The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France coach. After the final whistle, Deschamps embraced his players and acknowledged supporters before leaving the field. Reflecting on the defeat, he said France had been deeply disappointed by its semifinal exit and admitted his side had struggled badly in the first half before improving after the break. However, he said he did not want his coaching career to be judged solely on the team's final two matches.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final on Sunday, thanks to thunderstorms passing through the area, meteorologists say. Warnings of unhealthy air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States. At MetLife Stadium, where the final is taking place, it rained heavily and thunder boomed. State police urged people to leave the stadium seating bowl and field and take shelter. Volunteers and staff dashed inside for cover as ponchos were handed out. The sky was the same thick, soupy gray it has been for days. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill warned residents Saturday about the potential for damaging winds, tornadoes, flash flooding and large hail. Spain’s training session ahead of the final against Argentina was suspended at a nearby field because of the storms and lighting in the area. And FIFA said it was in close contact with local authorities as it continues to monitor the impacts from the wildfire smoke and the storms on the conditions on field at MetLife Stadium. Storms will help clear the air This storm front will largely move the smoke out of the Northeast before the final between Spain and Argentina, said Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. MetLife Stadium, which has been renamed the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the matches, is an open-air stadium. “There could be some lingering smoke that would make things hazy, but very faint," Roys said. "In terms of the thickest smoke, the smoke that has really been eye-popping and leads to poor air quality, that is not expected across New York City or much of the Northeast.” Meteorologist says the air quality for the game ‘won’t be dangerous' WFLA-TV Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli, in Tampa, Florida, echoed that, saying the storm front would “sweep the atmosphere clean," leaving only a thin smoke that World Cup spectators may still smell in the air. The air quality index shows an improvement from unhealthy air for sensitive groups on Saturday to “moderate” air quality Sunday in East Rutherford, which means little to no health risk for the general public. “It won't be dangerous anymore,” Berardelli said. “It's going to be dramatically better.” Temperatures are forecast to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), with light breezes and low humidity for the start of the final. “You couldn’t have asked for much better weather for the World Cup,” Berardelli added. Both Roys and Berardelli expect the heavier smoke Sunday to be concentrated closer to the fires, hanging over parts of the Midwest and the Great Lakes region. Wildfires have been igniting across Canada and northern Minnesota this month. Berardelli said they are burning longer and faster because of climate change. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System showed hundreds of active fires Saturday.

Anyone looking for a last-minute ticket to see Lionel Messi and Argentina face off against Lamine Yamal and Spain in the World Cup final should be ready to dig deep into the wallet for the credit card with the biggest balance possible. A key to a bank vault would work if there is one laying around. Sunday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey is one expensive ticket. FIFA's official ticket resale site listed its cheapest tickets Saturday morning at $6,411.25 for a mid-level view behind the goal. Those disappeared by lunchtime. Tickets in the corners of the upper deck were listed for nearly $10,000. To get much closer to the action, buyers would need to spend around $16,000, or as much as nearly $60,000 for special hospitality seats. Other outlets such as SeatGeek and StubHub also listed upper deck tickets starting around $10,000, with some lower bowls seats approaching $35,000. For some, it may be worth it to watch Messi, considered by many to be the greatest player ever, chase history against Yamal, one of soccer's brightest rising stars. Argentina will be playing for its fourth title overall and second in a row. No country has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Spain won the title in 2010.

Spain captain Rodri believes his team's place in the FIFA World Cup final is the result of years of steady progress rather than a sudden breakthrough, saying the squad has been building towards this moment over several tournaments. Spain has reached the World Cup final for only the second time, and Rodri said the team's triumph in the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024 laid the foundation for its current success. Argentines, Spaniards divided over loyalties ahead of historic World Cup final The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner said Spain now faces its toughest test yet against defending champion Argentina in Sunday's final, adding that his teammates should focus on winning rather than fearing defeat. "We've been gradually growing," Rodri said on Friday. "We have to keep doing the same things we're doing because it has been a process for all five years." Spain has conceded just one goal in seven World Cup matches, including a 2-0 semifinal victory over France. Since opening the tournament with a surprise draw against Cape Verde, La Roja has outscored its opponents 13-1. "Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this," Rodri said. "We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents." Spain's route to the final featured decisive late goals from Mikel Merino in both the round of 16 and quarterfinals, while goalkeeper Unai Simón has made nine saves during the tournament. The team's disciplined defending has also been a key factor in its success. Rodri rejected the idea that Spain relies on a single style of play, saying the team has shown it can adapt to different situations. Reflecting on Spain's first World Cup title 16 years ago, Rodri said that team's determination remains an inspiration, but stressed that the current squad is focused on its own development. "We can even do it better," he said. "Against France, we played one of our best matches as a team. But against Argentina, we have to raise our level because they are the champions. I'm really confident that we can do it."

From Cervantes and Borges to tortilla and asado, flamenco and tango, Argentina and Spain have long shared deep cultural and historical ties. But Sunday's FIFA World Cup final has left many people with connections to both countries struggling to decide where their loyalties lie. The showdown in New Jersey will be the first World Cup final between two Spanish-speaking nations since the inaugural tournament in 1930, when Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo. "It feels like being caught between a rock and a hard place," said 75-year-old Juan Manuel Posada, who moved from Spain's Asturias region to Buenos Aires in 1968. Although he has spent decades in Argentina and supports local club Independiente de Avellaneda, Posada said his heart remains with Spain. "It's as if I had arrived just yesterday. My heart is in Asturias, in Spain, and with the Spanish national team," said the lifelong Sporting de Gijón supporter. "If Spain wins, that's wonderful. But if Argentina wins, I won't be unhappy either." The close relationship between the two countries dates back centuries. Buenos Aires was founded in the 16th century by Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza, and Spanish influence remained strong even after Argentina gained independence. Large waves of Spanish immigration during the first half of the 20th century further strengthened those ties. Eighty-one-year-old Manuel Fernández Acevedo, who moved from Baiona in Spain's Galicia region to Argentina as a child, said choosing between the two teams is nearly impossible. "My daughter and granddaughter were born in Argentina. May the best team win. If Spain wins, that's great, and if Argentina wins, that's fine too," he said. The close bond between the countries has also shaped football history. Argentine greats Alfredo Di Stéfano and Lionel Messi became legendary figures at Spain's biggest clubs — Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively. Despite their shared football heritage, Argentina and Spain have rarely met on the World Cup stage. Their only previous encounter came during the group stage of the 1966 World Cup, when Argentina defeated Spain. This time, however, the stakes are much higher. Posada recalled a recent conversation with his Argentine grandson, who jokingly proposed a celebration plan depending on the result. "My grandson told me, 'Grandpa, if Spain wins, I'll wear a Spain shirt and carry the Spanish flag while we celebrate. But if Argentina wins, you'll have to wear Argentina's shirt and carry its flag.' I agreed, although I don't think we could go to the Obelisk wearing a Spain shirt," Posada said with a laugh, referring to Buenos Aires' famous gathering place for Argentina's football celebrations. On the other side of the Atlantic, hundreds of thousands of Argentines now live in Spain after emigrating over the past several decades, first during Argentina's military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983 and later because of recurring economic crises. According to Spain's latest census data from January 2025, about 450,883 Argentina-born residents are living in the country. For many of them, Sunday's final carries special significance. "I see Spain as just another opponent, but with respect because we're living in their country and, in the end, we're all like brothers," said 19-year-old Nahuel Barreta, who has been living in Málaga for the past year. "It feels like home here. We'll watch the match with friends at a bar downtown, as we usually do. I've never experienced a World Cup like this." In the run-up to the final, social media has been filled with humorous posts showing Argentine-Spanish couples joking about putting their relationships on hold until after the match, while others have shared playful attempts to persuade their children to support one finalist over the other. For many families with roots in both countries, Sunday's World Cup final is more than just a football match- it has become a true family affair.

Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday's World Cup final, urging fans to cherish what will likely be the Argentina captain's last appearance on football's biggest stage. Argentina will bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup trophies since Brazil in 1962 when it meets Spain in the title decider in New Jersey. "He is pure history. He is a legend," Scaloni told a press conference on Friday. "For him to reach a final at 39 years of age is something unbelievable. That's why I say we must enjoy him." Scaloni said Messi's achievement was made more meaningful by the absence of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the title in 1986. Widely regarded as one of the game's greatest players, Maradona died in 2020 at the age of 60. "Sadly, Maradona is no longer with us, so we have to enjoy him. He is a legend, along with this group of players," he said. "It's very difficult to achieve this," he added, alluding to a five-year period that has also included two Copa America triumphs. "This group has achieved something that is unbelievable. I'm deeply thankful, I will be thankful forever. It wasn't easy to reach this final, having competed at such a high level for so long. Even if we don't win, the journey has been unbelievable." Asked whether Sunday's final could be Messi's last match for Argentina, Scaloni declined to speculate. "Ask him. I didn't have any idea. He doesn't stop surprising us," he said. "This is a question you should ask him." The 48-year-old pointed out his side had prepared for the final the same way it had for every other match during the competition. Despite having to rely on late goals to win each of its four knockout matches, against Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England, Scaloni said his team was in good shape ahead of the final. "The team has shown very positive things, especially in the second half against England, not just the last few minutes," he said. "I think we're fit, regardless of some aspects. The team is feeling well. We're facing a very tough opponent, and people know how we play, but that's credit to us, and we'll try to win." Scaloni also spoke about the emotional connection between the team and Argentina's fans, describing the unity it had brought among supporters of rival domestic clubs. "We've recovered something that is extremely valuable, that people are watching the national team: A Boca fan hugging a River fan, Newell's fans hugging [Rosario] Central fans," he said. "That makes us really emotional. Especially because unity in a World Cup for the team is essential, we really feel the unity and the support that people are giving us. It's good to express emotions. It's part of life, of who we are, and it makes us more human." On Spain and opposite number Luis de la Fuente, Scaloni said the two coaches were friends but had not discussed tactics. "He knows me from a personal point of view, we're friends. But he doesn't know what I think about when it comes to football," Scaloni said. "We haven't really been talking about our playing style, but those patterns are obviously there when we have possession of the ball. We have similar patterns of play, having the ball and becoming stronger with the ball. I hope the game on Sunday will be a great show that people will be entertained by."

Lionel Messi says Argentina will give everything they have when they take on Spain in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, as the defending champions aim to retain the title. "We will give it our all," Messi said on Friday during what is expected to be his final public appearance before the title clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi spoke at Fanatics Fest in New York, where he shared the stage with some of the world's biggest sports stars, including NFL legend Tom Brady, tennis great Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant. The event highlighted Messi's global appeal, with the sports icons also taking a group selfie with the Argentine captain. FIFA held its pre-final media event at the four-day sports festival instead of a traditional news conference, allowing hundreds of fans to see the players and coaches up close. Spain captain Rodri praised Messi, calling him the greatest footballer of all time. "It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina," Rodri said. "For me, he's the greatest of all time." Instead of journalists asking questions, the discussion was led by sports stars. Brady asked Messi about a viral photo showing him bathing a baby who later grew up to become Spain winger Lamine Yamal. "What a crazy picture," Messi said. Djokovic asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Messi how they deal with pressure in major tournaments, while Durant asked goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez what winning back-to-back World Cups would mean for Argentina. Scaloni kept the focus on the match itself. "It's one more game," he said. "We cannot really think about the fact that it's a World Cup final." Argentina have reached the final with a perfect 7-0-0 record and remain the tournament's only unbeaten team. Spain are 6-0-1 after drawing their opening match against Cape Verde. Argentina's road to the final has not been easy. They came from behind to beat England in the semifinals after trailing 1-0 in the second half. They also recovered from a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt in the Round of 16, while both their Round of 32 match against Cape Verde and quarterfinal against Switzerland went to extra time. "I've said many times: We never stop fighting," Messi said. Messi received a warm welcome from fans at the event, many of whom recorded his entrance on their phones before cheering loudly as he waved. At the end of the programme, players, coaches and celebrities, including actor Kevin Hart, rapper Travis Scott, former England defender Rio Ferdinand and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, gathered for a group selfie. "Sunday is going to be a great show," Scaloni said. Argentina are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the team is determined to make the country proud. "We've got a group of players and coaches working incredibly hard every day to bring happiness to our country," Martinez said. "We're going to give absolutely our best, with Leo and this team, to bring the World Cup back to our country and celebrate with our people."