FIFA speak out on Donald Trump absence and confirm plan for World Cup final
Donald Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match at this year's tournament despite being heavily involved in the buildup
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has suggested U.S. President Donald Trump has been too busy to attend World Cup matches, but confirmed that he will be at the final. Despite playing a huge role in the build-up to this year's tournament, Trump has been nowhere to be seen at matches.
While football fever has been sweeping North America amid a thrilling tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Trump has yet to attend a single game. It has been unclear whether he would even attend the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, and so far, the White House has offered no explanation for his conspicuous absence.
In December, it looked as though the U.S. President would have his hands all over the tournament after he was awarded FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize. Trump has had one major impact, having asked FIFA to review US striker Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension before their last-16 match against Belgium - a move which prompted huge controversy after the forward was subsequently allowed to play.
Now FIFA President Infantino, who has enjoyed a cosy relationship with Trump, has offered an explanation as to why the 80-year-old has not been to any games so far.
Asked by Blue Sport whether security concerns have been behind Trump’s continued absence, he said: “No, no. I suppose he still has a few other things to do.
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“When he’s at the stadium, people will ask, ‘What’s he doing at the stadium when there’s so much going on in the world?’ I’m always in touch with him and his government, which is doing a great job with the World Cup.”
The Swiss was also pressed on Trump's involvement in the World Cup final. The U.S. President was famously involved in the trophy ceremony for Chelsea’s 2025 Club World Cup victory last summer, remaining on stage while the Blues celebrated with their prize, and he is due to be part of this year’s ceremony as well.
The 56-year-old said: “Hopefully we’ll present the trophy together in the final. That’s always been the plan—and that’s how it’s always been done in the past—for the president of the country hosting the final to present the trophy together with the FIFA president.”
Trump confirmed in January 2025 that he wanted to attend "more than one" World Cup game after setting up a task force to organise the tournament.
"I would like to go to, certainly, more than one," he said. "We’ll be making the rounds.
"It’s a period of a month and it’s really top-of-the-line. It’s one of the great events of anywhere in the world." The tournament has reached the semi-final stage, with France facing Spain on Tuesday (8pm BST), before England renew their rivalry with Argentina 24 hours later.
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