Trump to Present Medals at World Cup Final Amidst Political and Sporting Tensions
Argentina's President Absent as Spain and Argentina Vie for Global Soccer Supremacy in U.S.-Hosted Showdown
Carla Rooney
The World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, will see Spain and Argentina clash for global soccer supremacy, with Donald Trump confirmed to present the medals.
Donald Trump's Marine One helicopter executed a flyover before landing at MetLife Stadium, placing him at the highly anticipated World Cup final.
Trump's attendance at the tournament, co-hosted across North America, became a confirmed fact.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also planned to attend the final, joining the diplomatic presence.
I received an invitation from President Trump to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and I decided to go because it’s a direct invitation from the President of the United States.
Sheinbaum publicly stated, "I received an invitation from President Trump to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, and I decided to go because it’s a direct invitation from the President of the United States."
Argentina's President Javier Milei did not attend the final in New Jersey, maintaining a series of superstitious habits throughout his nation's World Cup run.
Milei planned to wear the same jacket he had worn for much of the tournament, believing it would aid Lionel Messi and his teammates on the pitch.
The match itself received a "Level 1" special event designation, the highest security classification in the U.S., due to the convergence of world leaders.
Airport-style security measures were rigorously enforced; a no-fly zone covered the New York and New Jersey area from Friday through Sunday's final.
Upon his arrival, Trump drew both cheers and jeers from the crowd at the stadium.
Organizers did not display Trump on the stadium’s video screens before the match commenced.
Earlier in the week, Trump hosted a reception with FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, engaging in pre-final diplomatic exchanges.
He also shook hands with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was also expected to attend Sunday's game.
Trump expressed a strong desire for the United States to host the tournament again soon, stating, "Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately."
He claimed the tournament had been such a success that the United States should host another World Cup immediately, adding, "this time, we’ll leave Mexico and Canada out."
This strategic shift follows the announcement that the 2034 World Cup is already slated for Saudi Arabia.
Andrew Giuliani stated the Trump administration invested billions in federal funding to ensure the World Cup was "not just a safe and secure event, not just where we welcomed the world, but an event that was filled with integrity."
Giuliani also claimed part of securing future hosting duties involves "ensuring that, in fact, women and only women will play in that 2031 Women's World Cup."
Trump claimed he would ask FIFA president Gianni Infantino to help stage another World Cup during his presidency, stating, "The United States has become a soccer country and will remain so."
It’s hard to bet against Messi.
He predicted Argentina would defeat Spain in the final, stating, "it’s hard to bet against Messi."
Trump praised Lionel Messi's exceptional play, recalling a "perfect" assist in the semi-final as a highlight.
He declined to name Messi as the greatest player of all time, mentioning his friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo and memories of watching Pelé, while also acknowledging Kylian Mbappé as a great player, influenced by his son Barron's interest in soccer.
Meanwhile, FIFA previously reversed a red card call for U.S. player Folarin Balogun during the tournament, impacting earlier match dynamics.
On Saturday, England defeated France 6-4 to claim third place, concluding their tournament run.