Trump arrives at MetLife Stadium with Melania and his closest family to kick off highly anticipated World Cup final match
President Donald Trump has arrived to watch the World Cup Final Match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
Flanked by his closest family members and advisors, including First Lady Melania Trump, Trump was spotted in a box with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump is not the only world leader in attendance, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are also participating in Sunday’s festivities. Mexico and Canada co-hosted the tournament alongside the United States. Spain’s Prime Minister is also expected to attend Sunday’s game.
In terms of predictions for the game, President Donald Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet earlier on Sunday that ‘it’s hard to bet against Messi,’ speaking of Argentina’s 39-year-old soccer team captain Lionel Messi.
‘I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi. I watched that pass – I guess you’d call it a pass. It was exactly perfect. Although it takes some talent to hit the ball off the head coming at that speed, but that was perfect. If you had a strike zone, it was exactly where it had to be,’ Trump said.
‘And I watched also, just before that, the way he got away from the defender. He was very well defended. All of a sudden, he’s standing by himself, and he kicked it perfectly. And it’s hard to bet against him. I think it’s very hard to bet against Messi. He’s great,’ Trump added.
Trump also told Fox Sports that he has a close friendship with Argentina’s president, Javier Milei.
Marine One, the presidential helicopter, flew over the stadium shortly before kickoff.
US President Donald Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stand before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final between Spain and Argentina
President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, applaud before the final
US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino seen together before the match
Fox News also reported that President Donald Trump is expected to present the World Cup Trophy.
President Trump’s son Eric Trump, his wife Lara, and their children were also spotted taking in the game.
Marine One, carrying US President Donald Trump, is seen arriving for the 2026 World Cup final
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and US First Lady Melania Trump attend the 2026 World Cup football final in East Rutherford, New Jersey
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (2L), Eric Trump (2R) and Lara Trump (R) attend the July 19 final
Trump salutes next to First Lady Melania, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney during the US national anthem
General view of Marine One helicopters carrying US President Donald Trump over the stadium before the World Cup Final match
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney greets Donald Trump before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026
Trump is not the first president to attend a World Cup Final match. In 1999, former Democratic President Bill Clinton attended the Women’s World Cup final in Pasadena, California, to watch the US team win the title. He also attended the 1994 opening ceremony of the Men’s World Cup.
In 2014, Joe Biden attended a Men’s World Cup match while he was Vice President.
As the build-up to the game, expected to be watched by billions around the world, ramped up, fans waited over four hours for their tickets to be scanned to enter the stadium for the showpiece game.
The attendance of several world leaders meant that airport-style security measures were also being enforced for everyone entering the venue.
