US President, who made comments as he met Fifa chief Gianni Infantino, was ridiculed for not realising the sheer scale of the world's most popular sport
DONALD TRUMP was mocked by football fans after he ludicrously claimed "soccer has to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world".
The US President made the comments as he was shown a red card by Fifa chief Gianni Infantino during their meeting at the White House.
Infantino handed over a set of red and yellow cards to Trump, who then brandished them towards the gathered media.
But it was The Donald's comments about football that drew scorn.
He said: "My son Barron loves soccer and soccer has to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
"And the job you've done is really fantastic, Gianni."
One user online joked: "Donald Trump says football (soccer, not the other one) 'has to be one of the fastest growing sports in the world'. Yeah, I'm hoping it catches on in Europe, Donald!"
Another said: "'Soccer has to be one of the fastest growing sports...'. Maybe in the USA Donnie - in the rest of the world it is THE biggest sport and always has been by a country mile!"
A fellow user posted: "Fastest growing sports? Football has been the king of sport for decades... what are you on about."
One comment read: "Trump is an idiot - it's not the fastest growing sport in the world, it's by far the biggest and most popular."
Trump and Infantino exchanged football jerseys ahead of USA hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
Infantino said: "It was an excellent meeting with focus on the organisation and preparations for 2026 which the USA will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
"I would like to thank President Trump for his government’s full commitment and support.
"I am very much looking forward to continue the cooperation with the US authorities.
"I am convinced that the three organising countries will deliver the greatest World Cup in eight years time."
Infantino said he expects the 2026 World Cup to be the biggest show in history after four billion people tuned in to this summer's tournament in Russia.
Trump said: "He is the president of FIFA and a highly-respected man.
"In fact, when my son heard he was going to be here he said, 'Dad I would like to meet him'."
