President Donald Trump arrived at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday to attend the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Trump was seen watching from a stadium box alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with First Lady Melania Trump and several close family members and advisers also joining him for the match.
He was not the only head of state on hand for the finale. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were also part of Sunday’s events, reflecting the tournament’s joint hosting by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Spain’s prime minister was also expected to attend the game.
Asked for his thoughts ahead of kickoff, Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that he would be reluctant to pick against Argentina’s 39-year-old 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.
He continued by praising Messi’s movement before the play, saying: “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 also told Fox Sports that he shares a close friendship with Argentina’s president, Javier Milei.
Shortly before kickoff, Marine One, the presidential helicopter, was seen flying over the stadium.
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 snapped 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
Ivanka and Tiffany pose ahead of the FIFA World Cup in a photo shared by Ivanka on Instagram
Ivanka Trump shared a photo of her father, President Donald Trump, flying over the stadium ahead of his attendance at the World Cup.
Eric’s sisters Tiffany and Ivanka attended as well, as did his brother-in-law, Tiffany’s husband Michael Boulos.
A number of members of Trump’s Cabinet, including Markwayne Mullin, Marco Rubio, Sean Duffy, and Howard Lutick, were also spotted in the president’s box.
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.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice-President Alejandro Dominguez speak before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York-New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy looks on during the US national anthem ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final match between Spain and Argentina, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on July 19, 2026
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.
