World Cup 2026: White House confirms Donald Trump will attend Spain, Argentina final

United States President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, with the White House confirming he will make his first appearance at the tournament during its showpiece event.

The announcement ends weeks of speculation after FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed in June that Trump was expected to attend the final and present the trophy to the winners. While FIFA had publicly disclosed the plan, official confirmation from the White House only came on Thursday.

Trump’s presence at football’s biggest match marks the climax of a tournament co-hosted by the United States and comes as the country prepares to stage another World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico in 2026.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the President’s attendance as the perfect finale to what the administration believes has been a landmark competition.

“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history.”

She added:

“This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”

Before travelling to New Jersey for the final, Trump is also scheduled to attend a reception hosted by FIFA at Trump Tower in New York on Friday, further underlining his involvement with world football’s governing body.

Close ties with FIFA president

Trump has maintained a strong relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in recent years. Their partnership has become increasingly visible, with Infantino frequently appearing alongside the US President at football-related events.

The FIFA chief had already stated last month that Trump would hand the World Cup trophy to the victorious captain after Sunday’s final, a role traditionally reserved for heads of state or senior dignitaries attending the championship decider.

Leavitt, however, declined to reveal which finalist the President would support when Spain face defending champions Argentina. The question has attracted attention after Trump criticised Spain during last week’s NATO summit over the country’s stance on the conflict involving Iran.

Regardless of his personal preference, Trump’s appearance will place him at the centre of one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet.

Tournament involvement sparked controversy

Although Sunday will be Trump’s first visit to a World Cup match, he has already become a talking point during the competition.

Earlier this month, Trump confirmed he had personally asked Infantino to review the red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun during a match against Bosnia.

FIFA subsequently lifted Balogun’s one-match suspension before the Americans’ next fixture against Belgium. The decision generated widespread debate, although it ultimately had little impact on the hosts’ fortunes as they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat.

Trump has also repeatedly credited himself for helping secure the United States’ successful bid to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico, a decision approved during his first spell in office.

Another trophy presentation in the spotlight

Sunday’s trophy ceremony is also expected to revive memories of last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final at the same stadium.

Following Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Trump presented the trophy to captain Reece James but unexpectedly remained on the podium as the English club celebrated their triumph. His decision to stay during the team’s celebrations drew widespread attention and became one of the most discussed moments of the post-match ceremony.

Reports later revealed that Trump kept a replica of the Club World Cup trophy in his office, further highlighting his growing association with FIFA events.

Now, with Spain and Argentina set to battle for football’s biggest prize, the US President is once again expected to occupy a prominent place on the world stage, this time by presenting the FIFA World Cup trophy to the newly crowned champions in what promises to be a globally watched conclusion to the tournament.