Trump to attend World Cup final, White House says
by Tom Howell Jr. · The Washington TimesPresident Trump plans to attend the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey, the White House confirmed Thursday.
“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure and most successful World Cup in American history,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
The U.S. has hosted the tournament twice — it held it in 1994 and is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico this summer.
This year’s final is being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, not far from New York City.
Mr. Trump attended last year’s Club World Cup final at the same stadium in 2025.
This year, he heavily promoted the world’s premier soccer tournament with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, dubbing each game a “Super Bowl” in its own right.
Mr. Trump was relatively quiet about the World Cup during proceedings, which were widely hailed as smoothly run.
However, he injected himself into the tournament by urging Mr. Infantino to take a look into U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension ahead of a knockout game against Belgium.
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A FIFA board allowed Balogun to serve a one-game suspension after the tournament, causing a major outcry among global fans outside the U.S. who said it smacked of corruption. Mr. Balogun played the game against Belgium, but the U.S. lost badly.
Mr. Infantino said the decision was made under normal processes.
Ms. Leavitt said she enjoyed seeing videos from foreign fans who came to the U.S. for the tournament and had a great time.
The final, she said, “is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
Mr. Trump sparred with Spain’s leadership in recent months. He was disappointed with Madrid’s share of defense spending as a member of NATO and its refusal to let U.S. forces use Spanish bases for the Iran conflict.
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Asked if that meant Mr. Trump would be rooting for Argentina, Ms. Leavitt laughed and said a reporter would have to ask him directly.
“I’m sure he’ll have a fun answer for you on it,” she said.
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Tom Howell Jr.
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