President Donald Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has celebrated the successful management of public transit during the 2026 FIFA World Cup held across U.S. cities, touting record-breaking ridership numbers and dismissing critics who anticipated logistical failures.

Several million fans attended World Cup matches in the United States, significantly increasing demand on federal, state, and local transportation systems. The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that in Seattle, more than 1.1 million riders used public transit during just the first two matches. In Atlanta, over 2 million riders utilized transit services for matches and related events, with match-day ridership reaching up to three times the usual average. San Francisco saw an average of more than 38,000 fans traveling to and from matches via public transit, surpassing the numbers recorded at Super Bowl LX by nearly 8,000.

These achievements were supported by a DOT infrastructure investment exceeding $100 million directed to World Cup host cities. Duffy told Fox News Digital, "The Left was praying for an American transit disaster as we hosted the most important international sporting event in modern history. They were wrong, and President Trump was right."

However, the event was not without controversy. Ruben Gallego, a Democratic congressman from Arizona, accused the Trump administration in April of endangering FIFA fans by "systematically dismantling security agencies, delaying critical security assistance, and initiating a war with Iran." Gallego argued that these actions left the Department of Homeland Security "woefully unprepared to accomplish its mission." Additionally, concerns were raised about the need for federal, state, and local officials to coordinate effectively to protect communities and maintain safety.

The World Cup concluded with Spain lifting the trophy after the final match on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump present.

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