United States president Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey, where he is scheduled to present the trophy to the champions alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The White House confirmed on Thursday that Trump will be present at the culmination of the tournament, which concludes at the New Jersey New York Stadium. Infantino told Swiss media this week that the presentation ceremony would follow established tradition, with the host nation’s leader joining him to award football’s most prestigious prize.
Previous Trophy Duties
This will not be the first time Trump has performed trophy-handling duties at a major football final in the state. Last summer, he presented the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea at the same venue in East Rutherford, an appearance that drew audible disapproval from sections of the crowd.
The final marks Trump’s first attendance at a match during this World Cup, though he has maintained a visible presence around the tournament through his relationship with Infantino. The pair have developed a close working rapport, which led to Trump personally intervening in a disciplinary matter earlier in the competition.
Political Intervention in Tournament
Trump contacted Infantino to request a review of the red-card suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the host nation’s last-16 fixture. FIFA subsequently overturned the ban, allowing Balogun to feature against Belgium, though the United States nevertheless exited the tournament following a defeat in that match.
Pre-Final Engagements
Ahead of the weekend showpiece, Trump will host a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday. Soccer’s global governing body established an office in the building last year.
The president has maintained an active schedule of sporting appearances since his re-election, attending events including the Super Bowl, the US Open tennis championships and the NBA Finals. When asked which side Trump would support in Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina, White House officials declined to specify a preference.