President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were among the high-profile guests at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup final.
The couple was seen Sunday afternoon inside a private suite at the New Jersey venue before the marquee championship clash between Spain and Argentina.
They mingled with several prominent figures ahead of kickoff, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Canada and Mexico are jointly hosting the tournament with the United States.
Trump was also photographed shaking hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with Infantino standing nearby during the exchange.
Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president at the stadium. Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, did not attend in person and was watching from home because of “superstition,” The New York Times reported.
At one point, Trump acknowledged spectators by waving to the crowd from behind the suite’s glass.
Elsewhere in the private suite, Infantino posed for photos with Eric Trump, Lara Trump and their children. Barron Trump was also in attendance for the World Cup final.
Trump cozied up to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the private suite on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey
Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania joined the massive crowd at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the 2026 World Cup final match
Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet 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, Milei.
Marine One, the presidential helicopter, flew over the stadium shortly before kickoff.
Trump is expected to present the World Cup Trophy, according to Fox News.
Two-time Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson took the stage ahead of the game, singing an emotional rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Right after her performance, Trump and Melania had a small chat about how much they enjoyed it, Nicola Hickling, Expert Analyst & Professional LipReader, LipReader Ltd., told the Daily Mail.
Barron Trump also showed up for the big game, talking to Infantino with his father and mother by his side
The commander in chief also waved at the crowd from behind the glass
Two-time Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson took the stage ahead of the game, singing an emotional rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner
According to the expert, Trump turned to his wife, stating: ‘Our girl, beautiful voice. Did you like it?’
‘Of course, she sang our favorite song,’ Melania replied. ‘I liked it too,’ Trump added, Hickling said.
Actor Tom Cruise also opened the World Cup final with an emotional monologue.
A bevy of Hollywood’s finest had been billed as performers, with Cruise headlining the event, which was designed to pay tribute to all 48 competing nations from the tournament.
However, fans anxious to see the Hollywood icon, 64, were made to wait for almost 90 minutes as they had to endure a bizarre performance from YouTuber IShowSpeed in the buildup to kickoff.
Cruise finally made his long-awaited appearance less than 10 minutes before the teams walked out onto the pitch.
FIFA reserved the actor for the grand finale of the ceremony, with Cruise reflecting on the tournament, which has been the biggest in World Cup history.
Actor Tom Cruise also opened the World Cup final with an emotional monologue
‘So as we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together,’ he said. ‘Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness.’
A-listers, including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Post Malone, are expected to hit the stage at the tournament’s first-ever halftime show.
Singer Nicole Scherzinger, British pop star Robbie Williams, and Italian musician Laura Pausini dazzled in blue outfits as they performed ahead of the match.
