**Trump and Sánchez Meet at World Cup Final After Nearly Two Years of Diplomatic Tensions**
*Published on 19/07/2026 - 21:23 GMT+2*
In a notable encounter, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump met on Sunday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This meeting comes after a prolonged period of diplomatic tensions between the two nations, marked by disagreements over defence spending and differing positions on international conflicts.
The two leaders found themselves seated in the VIP section of the stadium, alongside Spain's royal family, including King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters, Princesses Leonor and Sofía. The match featured Spain competing against Argentina, a high-stakes event that drew significant attention from around the world.
For nearly two years, Sánchez and Trump have publicly clashed over various issues. A primary point of contention has been Spain's defence spending, particularly in relation to NATO commitments. Tensions escalated after Trump characterized Spain as a "lost cause" during a NATO summit in Ankara, where he threatened trade retaliation if Spain did not increase its military expenditures. However, in a surprising shift, Trump later acknowledged that Spain had "fully redeemed itself" by agreeing to enhance its NATO commitments, signaling a potential thaw in relations.
Sánchez, for his part, has consistently argued that Spain has "more than fulfilled its obligations" regarding defence spending, although the country has yet to meet NATO's target of allocating 5% of its GDP to defence. This goal has been a focal point of pressure from Washington, which has sought to bolster military spending among its allies.
The meeting at the World Cup final comes at a time when relations between the two countries have shown signs of improvement. In recent weeks, both leaders have adopted more conciliatory tones, suggesting a willingness to move past previous conflicts. Sánchez took the opportunity to congratulate Trump on the 250th anniversary of the United States, a significant milestone being celebrated this week. When asked about the possibility of Trump presenting the World Cup trophy, Sánchez refrained from speculation, emphasizing that the focus should be on the winning team rather than the presenter.
The diplomatic landscape between the US and Spain has also been complicated by differing views on international conflicts, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza. Spain has condemned Israel's military actions, labeling them as genocide, a characterization that has been firmly rejected by the United States. Additionally, Spain's invocation of its bilateral defence agreement with the US to restrict military operations linked to the US-Iran conflict has further strained relations.
While Sánchez and Trump shared a moment at the World Cup final, Argentina's President Javier Milei was notably absent from the VIP section. Milei had previously stated that he would not attend the final due to a personal superstition. In a pre-match interview with Fox News, Trump referred to Milei as a "friend" and expressed admiration for Argentine football star Lionel Messi, stating, "It's hard to bet against Messi."
As the world watched the culmination of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the meeting between Sánchez and Trump served as a reminder of the complexities of international relations, where sporting events can momentarily bridge gaps created by political disagreements. The outcome of the match, alongside the evolving diplomatic dialogue between Spain and the United States, will likely continue to shape the narrative of their bilateral relationship in the months to come.