Donald Trump to attend World Cup final between Argentina and Spain: White House

The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino set to join him in presenting the trophy to the winners.

In Short

• The FIFA World Cup final is set to be played in New York on Sunday, 19 July
• White House confirms Donald Trump will attend Argentina vs Spain World Cup final
• Trump and Gianni Infantino to jointly present FIFA World Cup trophy to winners

The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at the New York-New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Trump's plans during a press briefing on Thursday, saying the president was looking forward to bringing the curtain down on what the administration described as a landmark tournament in the United States.

"We look forward to the final match on Sunday, and I know the president looks forward to attending," Leavitt told reporters.

"His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history."

Leavitt added that she did not know whether Trump would be supporting either Argentina or Spain in the final, joking that reporters should ask the president directly.

"I'm sure he'll have a fun answer for you," she said.

The White House also confirmed that Trump will attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on Friday ahead of the final.

TRUMP TO PRESENT FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY

The development comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino had earlier revealed that Trump would present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winners after Sunday's final.

Speaking to Fox & Friends, Infantino confirmed that he and Trump would jointly hand over the trophy to the victorious captain, marking a departure from recent FIFA tradition, where the FIFA president alone presented the World Cup trophy.

"We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together," Infantino said.

"We are together all the time."

The joint presentation will be a break from the last two men's World Cups. At Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018, Infantino personally handed the trophy to the winning captains, while his predecessor Sepp Blatter also oversaw previous presentations during his tenure.

Heads of state have, however, presented the World Cup trophy in the past. Queen Elizabeth II handed the Jules Rimet Trophy to England captain Bobby Moore after England's triumph in 1966, while Spain's King Juan Carlos presented the trophy to Italy captain Dino Zoff following the 1982 World Cup final.

Trump's role in Sunday's ceremony comes less than a year after his appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain. The US president presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James but remained on the podium during the team's celebrations, drawing widespread attention after appearing alongside the jubilant players instead of leaving the stage before the trophy lift.

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