FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will attend the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and join him in presenting the trophy to the tournament winners.
The highly anticipated final is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, one of the key venues selected for the expanded FIFA World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Infantino made the announcement during an interview with Fox & Friends, revealing that both he and President Trump would be present for the championship match and would jointly participate in the trophy presentation ceremony following the final whistle.
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According to the FIFA president, the relationship between FIFA and the Trump administration has played an important role in ensuring the successful organization of the global football tournament.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
“We are together all the time.”
His comments highlight the close working relationship that has developed between FIFA and the White House throughout preparations for the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already expected to be the largest edition in the competition’s history. It will be the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams instead of the traditional 32, significantly increasing the number of matches, host cities, and fans expected to attend.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — marking the first time in history that three nations have shared hosting responsibilities for a FIFA World Cup.
Despite the multinational hosting arrangement, the United States will host the majority of the matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium.
Infantino praised Trump’s involvement in helping secure support for the event and suggested that organizing a competition of such scale would have been considerably more difficult without the cooperation of the U.S. government.
According to the FIFA chief, Trump’s direct engagement has contributed significantly to preparations for the tournament.
The announcement has generated widespread discussion among football fans and political observers alike, particularly because it places a sitting U.S. president at the center of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
The FIFA World Cup final is routinely watched by hundreds of millions of viewers globally and represents one of the most prestigious occasions in international sport.
Trump’s participation in the trophy presentation ceremony is also drawing attention because of events that occurred during the FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States last year.
Following Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final of that tournament, Trump joined FIFA officials during the trophy presentation ceremony.
However, the moment became a major talking point after the U.S. president remained on stage during Chelsea’s celebrations instead of stepping aside after handing over the trophy.
Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, showing players appearing surprised as Trump participated in the celebrations alongside team members.
The unusual scene generated mixed reactions from football supporters around the world.
Some viewed it as a memorable moment, while others questioned whether political figures should remain involved after formal presentation duties have been completed.
The incident became one of the most discussed off-field moments of the tournament.
With Trump now set to participate in the World Cup final ceremony, many fans will be watching closely to see how the presentation unfolds.
Historically, FIFA World Cup trophies have often been presented by FIFA presidents, senior football officials, or prominent world leaders.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter handed trophies to several World Cup-winning captains during his tenure, while Gianni Infantino has continued the tradition in recent tournaments.
However, there have also been occasions when heads of state have played major roles during trophy ceremonies.
Trump’s involvement therefore follows a precedent, although the visibility of his role is expected to attract considerable global attention.
The confirmation of his attendance adds another layer of significance to an event that is already expected to be one of the largest sporting spectacles ever staged in North America.
Preparations for the tournament continue across host cities as organizers work to ensure stadium readiness, transportation infrastructure, security arrangements, and fan experiences.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to attract millions of visitors and generate billions of dollars in economic activity across the three host nations.
For FIFA, the tournament represents an opportunity to expand the global reach of football while showcasing the sport to new audiences.
For the United States, it is a chance to host one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet.
As anticipation builds toward July 19, football fans around the world will not only be eager to discover which nation lifts the World Cup trophy but will also witness a historic ceremony featuring FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump jointly presenting football’s most coveted prize.
With the final set for MetLife Stadium, the stage is already being prepared for what promises to be one of the most memorable nights in World Cup history.
