US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the White House said, saving his first appearance at the tournament for its grand finale.
“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing on Thursday.
“This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
Trump will also attend a reception for football’s world governing body, FIFA, at Trump Tower in New York on Friday, Leavitt said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino indicated in June that Trump would attend the final in New Jersey and present the trophy to the winners, but the White House has yet to confirm his attendance.
Leavitt said she wasn’t sure whether Trump would support Argentina or Spain after criticizing the European country at a NATO conference last week for failing to assist with the Iran conflict.
While Trump has not visited any World Cup games to date, he has been involved in the event in a more contentious manner.
The US president confirmed earlier this month that he asked FIFA’s Infantino to review a decision to hand a red card to star US striker Folarin Balogun during a game against Bosnia.
FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban ahead of the Americans’ next match, against Belgium. Despite Balogun’s presence on the field, the Americans The Americans suffered a 4-1 defeat, despite Balogun’s presence on the field. in a 4-1 blowout.
Trump has regularly claimed responsibility for obtaining the United States’ right to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, a decision made by FIFA during his first term.
Meanwhile, Infantino has developed a tight relationship with Trump, presenting him with a newly established FIFA peace trophy during the World Cup draw in Washington last year, months before the US initiated military action against Venezuela and Iran.
The decision to allow Trump to present the World Cup trophy follows the controversy surrounding the presentation of the team World Cup to the English team Chelsea after their triumph against Paris Saint-Germain at the same venue in New Jersey last year.
Trump delivered the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James but then refused to leave the platform, so he originally joined the team’s celebrations with perplexed players.
He eventually maintained a replica of the trophy in his office.
