“And I was forced to call Gianni [Infantino]. I said ‘Gianni, I’d like to make a recommendation. Let the guy in the game!’ No, I didn’t say that. I said I’d like to wage a complaint.

“And actually I had no idea what was going to happen, but you know it is so much better the way it worked out because there is no controversy. [Belgium] won the game and our team had all of its players. You made another great decision if you think about it, but you’ll never get credit for it.”

Trump also praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino and described the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada as “the most successful sporting event, maybe in the history of the world.”

Infantino said the tournament had “exceeded expectations.”

“The American dream, Mr President, came to reality. We united the world in America.

“This is not just the greatest World Cup of all times, it is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed and we are all part of it and for this I thank you very much, Mr President.”