President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, the White House confirmed Thursday, marking a high-profile conclusion to the monthlong tournament. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the president's attendance, calling it «a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage.» The confirmation follows an earlier statement by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who said last month on «Fox & Friends» that Trump would be present for the championship match.
Infantino revealed that he and Trump will jointly deliver the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team's captain on the field after the final. «We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,» Infantino said. The two leaders previously performed a similar role at the FIFA Club World Cup final last year, also held at MetLife Stadium, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. During that event, Trump participated in the trophy presentation and handed out awards to players and referees, though his presence on stage during the celebration caused some confusion among players. Chelsea's Cole Palmer later admitted, «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.»
Trump has not attended any World Cup matches during the tournament, which began last month, but his involvement in the event has already stirred controversy. Earlier in the competition, Trump called Infantino to request a review of a red card issued to U.S. forward Folarin Balogun. The president argued that the foul was not intentional, saying, «All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn't think it was a foul. And again, I'm good at this stuff. I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled.» Balogun was initially suspended for the U.S. team's round-of-16 match but was later ruled eligible to play. The player acknowledged the tension surrounding the incident, telling CBS that he «could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves» as the controversy unfolded.
The president's attendance at the final adds to a series of high-profile sporting events he has participated in recently. Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, and the White House hosted UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race is also scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., next month. Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the administration at the U.S. Men's National Team's opening match against Paraguay on June 12, a 4-1 victory. Trump was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December, underscoring his ongoing relationship with the global soccer organization.
The World Cup final at MetLife Stadium is expected to draw a massive global audience, and Trump's presence will likely amplify attention on the event. The tournament has showcased the United States' capacity to host large-scale international competitions, with matches held across multiple cities. Leavitt's announcement emphasized the administration's view of the final as a celebration of American hospitality and organizational capability. The president's role in the trophy presentation, alongside Infantino, will be a key moment in the closing ceremony, echoing his participation in last year's Club World Cup final.
Trump's intervention in the Balogun red card incident highlighted his willingness to engage directly with FIFA leadership on matters affecting the U.S. team. The president clarified that he did not dictate the outcome but simply requested a review, stating, «I relayed it. I didn't tell him what to do. I don't believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn't a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players.» The incident sparked debate among soccer fans and analysts about the influence of political figures in sports governance, though FIFA maintained that the review process followed standard procedures.
As the tournament concludes, the focus now shifts to the final match and the accompanying ceremonies. Trump's attendance is expected to draw both supporters and protesters, given his polarizing political profile. Security at MetLife Stadium will be heightened, with federal and local law enforcement coordinating to ensure a safe environment for players, officials, and fans. The White House has not released details about the president's schedule on Sunday beyond his participation in the trophy presentation.