Trump to attend FIFA World Cup 2026 final, set to present trophy

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to make his first appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by attending Sunday’s highly anticipated final between Spain and Argentina, the White House has confirmed, adding another layer of global attention to football’s biggest event.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump will travel to New Jersey for the championship match after participating in a reception hosted by FIFA at Trump Tower in New York. She described his attendance as a symbolic conclusion to what the administration called “the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history.”

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has attracted millions of fans from around the globe and delivered several memorable moments on and off the pitch. Trump, however, has chosen to save his first stadium appearance for the grand finale.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier indicated that Trump would attend the final and present the World Cup trophy to the champions. The White House has now officially confirmed those plans, although it remains unclear which team the US president will support in the title clash.

Trump’s appearance comes amid growing scrutiny over his involvement in football during the tournament. Earlier this month, he revealed that he had personally asked Infantino to review the red-card decision against United States forward Folarin Balogun during a match against Bosnia. FIFA later lifted Balogun’s one-match suspension, though the American side was subsequently defeated 4-1 by Belgium.

The US president has also frequently claimed credit for helping secure the hosting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during his first term in office, when FIFA awarded the tournament to the North American joint bid.

Trump and Infantino have maintained a close relationship in recent years. Last year, the FIFA president presented Trump with a special FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington.

Sunday’s trophy presentation is also expected to revive memories of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, when Trump remained on stage during Chelsea’s celebrations after handing over the trophy, creating an awkward yet widely discussed moment that quickly went viral across social media.

With Spain and Argentina preparing for a blockbuster showdown, Trump’s presence is expected to make the World Cup final one of the most watched sporting and political events of the year, blending football, diplomacy and global headlines on the game’s biggest stage.