Trump to attend World Cup final and present trophy

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

United States President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and assist in presenting the trophy, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The final is scheduled for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, capping a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Trump, 80, has yet to attend a match during the competition, which began on 11 June, but is expected to appear at the showcase event.

Infantino confirmed the president’s involvement in the ceremony, saying: “We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course.” When asked whether they would jointly present the trophy, he added: “Of course, we are together all the time.”

The United States is hosting 78 of the 104 matches at the expanded World Cup, underlining its central role in the tournament’s organisation and staging.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, said that Trump enjoys “leaving people watching” and has not yet attended a match due to a busy schedule.

Trump has maintained a high-profile presence at major sporting events in recent months. He attended a UFC event at the White House last week and also became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game, where he was booed by sections of the crowd in New York.

At last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, Trump presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James but remained on the podium during celebrations, creating some confusion among players. James later said he had expected the president to exit the stage after the presentation but noted that Trump chose to stay.

The upcoming World Cup final appearance will add another high-profile moment to Trump’s growing involvement in major global sporting events.