Trump Says He Will Attend World Cup; FIFA President Expects Him to Present Trophy to Champions

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, U.S. President Donald Trump said today he will attend the matches. When asked by an AFP reporter at the White House Oval Office whether he plans to watch the World Cup, Trump replied, "I will, I definitely will."

Trump did not specify which matches he would attend, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he expects Trump to personally present the trophy to the champion team at the final on July 19.

Last year, Trump served as a guest presenter at the FIFA Club World Cup held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he was booed by some fans. This year's World Cup final will also be held at the same stadium.

Trump is keen to leave his mark on the World Cup, repeatedly mentioning that the joint hosting by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada was secured during his first term.

Trump also shares a deep friendship with Infantino. Last December, just before U.S. military operations against Venezuela and Iran, Infantino created the inaugural "FIFA Peace Award" and specially awarded it to Trump.

Trump said, "I spoke with Infantino this morning... He said preparations for this tournament have been an unprecedented success."

However, the tournament has also been mired in controversy off the field, including expensive ticket prices and strict immigration policies that have led to some fans, team staff, and even a top Somali referee being denied entry into the United States.

Trump said the government is actively addressing these issues. He told the media, "We are working hard to ensure that the right people can enter our country."