FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July and will jointly present the trophy to the winning team. The announcement came during an interview on FOX and Friends on Tuesday morning.
Trump's Role in the Final
Infantino stated, "We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course together." When pressed on whether he and Trump would present the trophy jointly, Infantino replied, "Of course, we are together all the time."
The World Cup final, held every four years, is widely regarded as the most prestigious sporting event globally, with billions of viewers expected. The 2026 tournament is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final taking place in New Jersey.
Staff in 'Crisis Mode' Over Chants
The confirmation comes amid reports that Trump's staff are in "crisis mode" trying to prevent him from being exposed to offensive chants directed at him during matches. A source said, "His staff are in crisis mode trying to prevent the president from being exposed to the chants in person, and that includes avoiding matches involving English-speaking teams."
Trump has not attended any World Cup matches so far this summer, and Infantino's confirmation of his presence at the final may represent his only in-person participation in the tournament.
Previous Trophy Presentation
This is not the first time Trump has handed a trophy to a football team. Last year, he joined Chelsea FC at MetLife Stadium to present the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. He then remained on stage during the team's celebrations in an awkward episode, insisting he "wanted to stay."
Trump-Infantino Relationship
The relationship between Trump and Infantino has drawn scrutiny. Observers note that Infantino has accommodated Trump, particularly after Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in December. Infantino also delivered the World Cup trophy to the Oval Office before the tournament's kick-off.
