Donald Trump set to attend World Cup final after high-profile absence, FIFA president Infantino confirms
The global spotlight will turn to MetLife Stadium for the FIFA World Cup final as US President Donald Trump has been confirmed to make a long-awaited appearance after being absent from all previous matches of the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has broken his silence on Trump’s notable absence, blaming it on the president’s busy schedule, and dismissing speculation that security concerns may have played a role.
Despite playing a key role in organizing the tournament, including being awarded FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize last December, Trump has been conspicuously absent from the stands as the world’s greatest soccer nations, the United States, Mexico and Canada, compete. The White House has provided no official explanation for his absence, which has sparked widespread curiosity and debate.
Controversy surrounded Trump’s involvement at the start of the tournament when he intervened in the suspension of American striker Folarin Balogun and asked FIFA to review and ultimately lift his one-match ban before the crucial last-16 tie against Belgium. The decision, in which Balogun was cleared to play, sparked fierce debate and underlined Trump’s influence behind the scenes.
Speaking to Blue Sport, Infantino responded to growing questions about the president’s whereabouts: “No, no. I think he still has other things to do. When he’s in the stadium, people will ask, ‘What is he doing in the stadium when there’s so much going on in the world?’ I’m always in touch with him and his government, which is doing a great job leading up to the World Cup,” the FIFA president said, giving a rare insight into ongoing talks with the Trump administration.
As anticipation grows for the final on 19 July, Infantino confirmed that Trump will be attending the trophy ceremony. “Hopefully we will present the trophy together at the final. The plan has always been – and this has always been the case in the past – that the president of the country hosting the final will present the trophy together with the FIFA president,” Infantino revealed. Trump, who previously took the stage with Chelsea during their 2025 Club World Cup victory, is expected to reprise his ceremonial role.
Earlier this year, Trump expressed his desire to make an apparent appearance at the tournament in January 2025, saying: “I, of course, would like to go to more than one. We’ll make rounds. It’s a one-month period and it’s really over the top. It’s one of the great events anywhere in the world.”
With the competition now entering the semi-final stage – France preparing to face Spain, and England set for a blockbuster clash against Argentina – all eyes will be on Trump as he prepares to step onto the world stage for the grand finale.
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