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U.S. President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. This continues the tradition of the host country’s leader presenting the trophy with FIFA’s president.
"We look forward to the final match on Sunday, and I know the president looks forward to attending," Leavitt told reporters. "This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Trump will present the World Cup trophy to the winning team at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Infantino confirmed this plan again in an interview with Swiss outlet Blue Sport this week.
"Yes, hopefully we'll present the trophy together in the final," Infantino said. "That's always been the plan, and that's how it's always been done in the past. The president of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA president."
This tradition has continued in recent tournaments. At the 2022 World Cup final, Qatar's Emir Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani joined Infantino to present the trophy to Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the trophy to Kylian Mbappe and the French national team after their win at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Trump also presented the trophy at last summer's Club World Cup final at the same New Jersey stadium, giving it to champions Chelsea. The crowd booed during his appearance.
Trump has not attended any matches at this World Cup, but he has been active behind the scenes. Leavitt mentioned his close relationship with Infantino, who Trump contacted directly to ask for a review of a red-card suspension for US forward Folarin Balogun before the team’s last-16 match.
FIFA later reversed the suspension, but the incident drew attention since the U.S. team was eliminated by Belgium.
When asked which team Trump supports in Sunday’s final, Leavitt said she didn’t know. "I'm sure he'll have a fun answer for you," she told reporters.
Leavitt also said Trump will go to a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday. FIFA opened an office in the building last year.
Trump has often attended sporting events since returning to office. In the past year, he went to the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open tennis final, the Daytona 500, golf’s Ryder Cup, several golf tournaments, the college football national championship, and Game 3 of the NBA Finals, where the home crowd booed him.
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