NEW YORK (Agencies) —FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and personally present the trophy to the winning team, adding another high-profile element to football’s biggest event.
The final of the expanded 48-team tournament is scheduled to take place on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. According to Infantino, he and Trump will watch the match together before taking part in the trophy presentation ceremony.
Speaking in an interview, the FIFA chief said he was looking forward to sharing the occasion with the US president and celebrating with the eventual champions after the match.
Although Trump has yet to attend any fixtures during the tournament, White House World Cup Task Force executive director Andrew Giuliani said the president’s demanding schedule had prevented him from doing so. He added that Trump has consistently shown an interest in major sporting events and intends to be present for the showcase final.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began on 11 June, is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament marks the first edition to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, with the United States hosting the majority of the fixtures.
Trump’s appearance at the final would continue his association with FIFA events. Last year, he drew widespread attention during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy ceremony when he remained on stage alongside players after handing over the trophy, prompting amused and surprised reactions from several members of the victorious side.
His presence at the World Cup final is expected to attract significant international media attention and could become one of the defining images of the tournament. With billions of viewers expected to tune in worldwide, the occasion will not only crown football’s next world champions but also place one of the most recognisable political figures on the global sporting stage.
Trump’s attendance underlines the growing links between politics and global sporting events, with the World Cup serving as a showcase for both football and international diplomacy.
The presence of a sitting US president at the final is likely to enhance the event’s profile and intensify media coverage around the tournament’s climax.
As co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, the United States is expected to use the tournament to highlight its ability to stage major international events ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
