**White House Confirms President Trump Will Attend World Cup Final**
In a significant announcement, the White House confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final on Sunday, where Spain will face off against defending champions Argentina. This event is set to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, marking a high point in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that President Trump will be in New York City on Friday for a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in Manhattan. This appearance precedes his attendance at the final match, which is expected to draw considerable attention given the historical significance of heads of state participating in such events.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously indicated that he would present the trophy during the final, stating, “We will be together with the president, enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course.” Infantino's remarks, made during a June 23 appearance on “Fox & Friends,” hinted at the collaborative spirit of the event, which has seen various world leaders participate in trophy presentations in past tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Despite the heightened anticipation surrounding the final, neither President Trump nor Vice President JD Vance has attended any of the 102 matches played in the tournament thus far. However, members of the cabinet have been present at games featuring the U.S. men’s national team, attending matches in locations such as California and Seattle.
Leavitt emphasized the significance of the event, noting, “His attendance will cap what has been the most-watched, most secure and most successful World Cup in American history.” The United States previously hosted the Men’s World Cup in 1994, an event that laid the groundwork for the current tournament's success.
President Trump has a history of attending major sporting events during his presidency, including the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, the Ryder Cup, and the Daytona 500. His presence at these events has often drawn considerable media attention. Recently, in November 2024, he was seen at a UFC event at Madison Square Garden, and he also attended UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn. Moreover, he was present for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
The upcoming final will be a notable occasion for Trump, who has previously shared the stage at MetLife Stadium during the Club World Cup Final, where he witnessed English club Chelsea lift the trophy. His relationship with FIFA President Infantino has been highlighted through various collaborative efforts, including the announcement of the World Cup draw last December at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Infantino also presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
In a related incident, Trump made headlines when he reached out to Infantino regarding the red-card suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who was penalized during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun's automatic ban for the subsequent round of 16 match against Belgium became a topic of discussion, with Trump advocating for his reinstatement. Although Infantino acknowledged receiving Trump's call, he clarified that he did not intervene in the decision-making process. The ban was ultimately suspended on July 5, allowing Balogun to participate, although the U.S. team was eliminated by Belgium with a score of 4-1.
As the World Cup final approaches, the presence of President Trump is expected to further elevate the profile of an event already marked by record viewership and security measures. The anticipation surrounding the match between Spain and Argentina is palpable, with fans and officials alike eager to witness the culmination of this historic tournament.