Donald Trump's Presence at the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium

Donald Trump Attends 2026 World Cup Final in New Jersey

The 2026 FIFA World Cup wrapped up on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Donald Trump was among those in attendance. Since winning a second term in 2024, Trump has appeared at major sporting events including the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, U.S. Open final, and NBA Finals while serving as president. This time, he added the World Cup final to his list, thanks in part to his close ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Spain defeated Argentina in the final, which conveniently took place near Trump’s base, making it easy for him to attend. Below are the main updates from Trump's involvement during the event.

Key Moments of Trump's World Cup Final Attendance

• 6:44 p.m.: Trump joined Infantino on the pitch to present Spain with the World Cup trophy after their victory.
• 6:27 p.m.: Following Spain's win, Trump and other heads of state gathered on the field for the trophy ceremony.
• 3:18 p.m.: During the match, Trump was shown alongside Infantino holding the World Cup trophy, poised to award it to the champions.
• 2:53 p.m.: Trump was seated in the stadium next to Infantino, watching the game with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
• 2:45 p.m.: Extra security was deployed due to Trump's presence, as the final was designated a National Special Security Event requiring heightened precautions.
• 2:30 p.m.: Marine One brought Trump to MetLife Stadium well ahead of kickoff.
• 1:05 p.m.: Prior to the match, Trump spoke with Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft during pregame coverage.
• 9:15 a.m.: Earlier that day, Trump started off at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, making the short trip to East Rutherford convenient.

Reasons Behind Trump's Attendance

The final being held in the United States for the first time since the early 1990s made Trump's attendance expected. He had not previously attended a World Cup match but was slated to participate in the postgame trophy presentation. This wasn't Trump's first soccer-related appearance as president; last December, he represented the U.S. at the World Cup draw deciding group placements. He also attended the Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium last summer when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain.

Who Shared the Stands with Trump?

Trump watched the final alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with whom he developed a working relationship during preparations for the 2026 tournament. Other notable figures included First Lady Melania Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and sports executive Robert Kraft.