Donald Trump to attend World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday

U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, the White House confirmed Thursday. The announcement, made by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stated that Trump’s attendance will "cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history." Leavitt emphasized that Trump’s presence at the event, which will be held in a stadium co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, underscores the nation’s ability to stage global sporting events. "This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage," she said. Trump is also scheduled to attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday, a venue that houses FIFA’s U.S. office, opened last year.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed earlier this month that Trump will join him in presenting the World Cup trophy to the winning team, a tradition seen in previous finals. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Infantino awarded the trophy to Argentina’s Lionel Messi, while Russian President Vladimir Putin presented medals to France’s 2018 champions. Trump’s role in the ceremony aligns with this precedent, though his attendance at the final itself has been delayed until the tournament’s conclusion. The White House has not explicitly stated whether Trump will present the trophy, but Infantino has indicated that he and Trump will "enjoy the final and hand the trophy to the winner, of course."

Despite his prominent role in organizing the 2026 World Cup, Trump has not attended any of the 102 matches held thus far, a departure from his usual pattern of public appearances at high-profile sporting events. The president has, however, been deeply involved in the tournament’s logistics, including a controversial intervention in the case of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Trump called Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red-card suspension during the U.S. team’s 2-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIFA later overturned the ban, allowing Balogun to play in the Round of 16, where the U.S. was eliminated by Belgium. The decision drew criticism for perceived bias, with Balogun later acknowledging the controversy caused "a bit of nerves" among teammates. Trump’s involvement in the tournament has also included ceremonial duties. Last summer, he presented the FIFA Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea at MetLife Stadium, where he remained on the podium during the team’s celebrations, prompting confusion among players. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer later remarked that Trump’s prolonged presence "left the players confused," though the incident was later framed as a lighthearted moment by Trump’s allies.

The World Cup final itself has drawn unprecedented attention, with ticket prices averaging $11,327, making it the most expensive U.S. sporting event in history. The match will also feature a star-studded closing ceremony, including performances by Post Malone, Tom Cruise, and Laura Pausini, as well as a national anthem by Jennifer Hudson. Celebrity attendees are expected to include David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds, and Javier Bardem, though their presence remains unconfirmed. The White House has framed Trump’s attendance as a milestone in U.S. sports history, noting that the 1994 World Cup was the only previous edition held on American soil. Leavitt highlighted the security and scale of the event, which has proceeded with minimal disruption despite political tensions. However, Trump’s appearance at the final is likely to be met with mixed reactions, given his polarizing public persona and the controversies surrounding his involvement in the tournament.

As the final approaches, the focus remains on the matchup between defending champion Argentina and Spain, with both teams vying for the title. For Trump, the event represents not only a symbolic endorsement of the World Cup but also a chance to reinforce his image as a leader capable of orchestrating global events. Whether his presence will be seen as a triumph or a distraction remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the 2026 World Cup has already left an indelible mark on American sports history.