Trump to attend FIFA World Cup final, join Infantino for trophy presentation
US President Donald Trump will attend today’s, Sunday, July 19, 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain and Argentina will battle for football’s biggest prize, the White House has confirmed.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday lasy week that the president will be present for the showpiece match, describing his attendance as symbolic of the United States’ successful hosting of the tournament.
“President Trump’s attendance will be a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage,” Leavitt said.
The confirmation comes weeks after FIFA President Gianni Infantino first revealed during an interview on Fox & Friends that Trump planned to attend the final.
Infantino also confirmed that he and the US president will jointly present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain during the post-match ceremony.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
The appearance will mark the second consecutive year that Trump and Infantino have shared the podium at a major FIFA final at MetLife Stadium.
In 2025, the pair presented the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after English club Chelsea defeated French champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final. Trump also participated in the presentation of medals and awards to players and match officials before remaining on the podium as Chelsea celebrated its victory.
His decision to stay on stage during the trophy celebrations drew widespread attention and left some players surprised.
“I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused,” Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer said after the match.
The Club World Cup final took place exactly one year after an assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump has also played an unexpected role in one of the tournament’s most talked-about controversies. During the competition, he reportedly contacted Infantino to request a review of the red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun.
Balogun had initially been suspended for the USA’s Round of 16 match following his dismissal, but after a review, he was declared eligible to play.
Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina is expected to attract a global television audience of hundreds of millions, with Trump’s presence adding another high-profile political dimension to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
