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US President Donald Trump arrived at the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium near New York, where Argentina faced Spain in the climax of the 48-team tournament.
Trump’s helicopter set down next to the stadium as long lines of spectators waited to enter the venue through enhanced security checks. He was seated near FIFA President Gianni Infantino, First Lady Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The 80-year-old president briefly received scattered boos from the crowd when his image appeared on the jumbotron screens, though far less than at recent sporting events.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch on as this incredible @FIFAWorldCup tournament concludes on American soil. ⚽️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/p5Zb5UPMr5
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 19, 2026
“I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi,” Trump said before kick-off, adding that Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei, who was not attending out of superstition, was a “friend of mine. He’s done a terrific job.”
Trump briefly exchanged words with the leaders of the tournament’s co-hosts, though relations with both Mexico and Canada have been tense over immigration crackdowns and trade tariffs.
He also shook hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, despite recent criticism of Madrid over NATO spending and the Iran war.
During the match, Trump had the golden trophy brought to him in the VIP box and gave it a pat before the eventual winner was crowned.
The game marked the first World Cup fixture Trump has attended. On Friday, he told a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York that the tournament had been “the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world.”
“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” he added.
Trump is expected to present the trophy to the winner of the game.
