Donald Trump has spent the 2026 FIFA World Cup watching from a distance. That may be about to change.
The U.S. president is confirmed to attend the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where he is expected to co-present the trophy alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Now, reports suggest he could make an appearance before that, potentially showing up earlier in the tournament than anyone anticipated.
For context: the final is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on July 19. Trump has not attended any matches during the group stage or knockout rounds leading up to it.
A president at the podium
Infantino confirmed Trump’s involvement in the trophy presentation around June 23, making it official that a sitting U.S. president would be part of the ceremony. FIFA has historically kept its trophy presentation protocols fairly separate from domestic political figures, so having Trump on the stage represents a meaningful departure from tradition.
