Why Hasn't Trump Attended a World Cup Match Yet? Here's the Plan for the Final
With the tournament past the halfway mark, President Trump still hasn't attended a single match in person — but FIFA has confirmed exactly what happens on July 19.
No Appearance Yet, Despite Hosting Duties
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, and President Trump has been closely associated with the buildup — but as the tournament has moved from the group stage into the knockout rounds, he has yet to attend a single match in person, including the USA's own group games. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House's World Cup Task Force, told the Telegraph that Trump "likes a cliffhanger" when asked to explain the absences, while a separate source cited competing commitments, including this week's July 4th celebrations, saying "the World Cup just isn't on his radar at the moment."
According to Giuliani, Trump is unlikely to attend a match before the final on July 19 in New Jersey, though that could change if the United States advances to the semifinal in Dallas on July 14 — a scenario that would put a home game with major stakes within easy reach.
What Is Confirmed for the Final
Unlike the uncertainty around the rest of the tournament, Trump's role at the final has already been locked in. Infantino confirmed on Fox & Friends that the two would be "together... enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together" — a joint presentation that breaks from recent precedent. At the previous two World Cups under Infantino, in Qatar (2022) and Russia (2018), FIFA's president presented the trophy alone; heads of state presenting the trophy was more common in earlier tournament eras. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium (rebranded "New York New Jersey Stadium" for FIFA neutrality rules) on July 19, immediately preceded by a halftime-style ceremony separate from the match itself.
Why It's Drawing Attention
The absence has become a talking point partly because of the scale of the event — the first men's World Cup hosted on U.S. soil since 1994, and the first with 48 teams — and partly because of Trump's recent high-profile appearances at other major sporting events. He was heavily booed by the crowd during a visit to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, a moment reported to have made his staff more cautious about scheduling further in-person sports appearances before a guaranteed friendly reception. The World Cup final, with the trophy presentation already arranged as a joint moment with Infantino, offers a more controlled setting.
How the Tournament Looks From Here
Whatever the reasons behind the scheduling, the substance of the tournament continues regardless. The Round of 16 begins today with Canada facing Morocco and France facing Paraguay, and by the time the semifinals arrive in Dallas on July 14, the field will be down to four teams fighting for a place in the July 19 final. If the United States is among them, it would mark the deepest men's World Cup run for the USMNT since the country last hosted the tournament in 1994 — and would likely be the moment that finally puts Trump in a stadium seat before the final itself, given the political value of a home nation's semifinal appearance.
For now, the confirmed arrangement gives organizers and broadcasters a clear plan to build toward: a joint trophy presentation between Trump and Infantino at MetLife Stadium, capping a tournament that expanded to 48 teams and three host countries for the first time in World Cup history.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. As of July 4, he had not attended any match, including the USA's own group-stage games, according to White House officials.
Yes — FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Trump will attend the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium and jointly present the trophy to the winning team's captain.
It's possible. White House officials say he could attend the semifinal in Dallas on July 14 if the United States advances that far.