The White House confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, his first appearance at any match of the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the event as “the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” adding that Trump’s presence would be “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.” The president will also attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York on Friday, further cementing the close institutional ties between his administration and football’s global governing body.

Trump’s involvement in the tournament has been a persistent source of debate, particularly after he personally telephoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card and one-match suspension issued to US striker Folarin Balogun. The ban was subsequently overturned, a decision that drew sharp criticism from international observers and was viewed in many European and South American media outlets as an unprecedented political intrusion into disciplinary processes. Balogun later acknowledged the episode generated “a lot of outside noise” and “a bit of nerves” within the squad; the US were eliminated in the next round, losing 4-1 to Belgium. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for securing the co-hosting rights during his first term, and Infantino has cultivated the relationship, awarding the president a newly created FIFA peace prize at the tournament draw in Washington last year.

The trophy presentation itself will break with recent protocol. Infantino has stated he and Trump will hand the trophy to the winning captain together, a departure from the last two finals where the FIFA president alone performed the duty. The arrangement echoes the 2025 Club World Cup final at the same venue, when Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James but then remained on the podium, initially joining the team’s celebrations. Argentine President Javier Milei, a Trump ally, will not attend the final, telling local radio he would continue watching from the presidential residence as a superstition; Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are expected to be present. Viewed from Buenos Aires, Milei’s absence is framed as a personal ritual, while in Madrid the royal attendance is seen as a traditional show of support.

The final brings together defending champions Argentina, who scored two late goals to beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals, and a Spain side that defeated France 2-0. The match, which kicks off at 16:00 local time on Sunday, has become the most expensive sporting event in US history, with average ticket prices exceeding $11,000. The winner will lift the trophy in a stadium that has already hosted a Club World Cup final marked by Trump’s unscripted presence, a moment that, according to players’ accounts, caused confusion on the podium. As the tournament concludes, the sporting focus narrows to whether Lionel Messi can lead Argentina to a second consecutive title or whether Spain’s emerging generation can reclaim the prize for Europe.