US President Donald Trump witnessed the World Cup final on Sunday — despite being briefly booed by the crowd when he appeared on screen.
Trump arrived in his Marine One plane at the New York-New Jersey stadium to watch Spain and Argentina fight for the sword.
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The 80-year-old president even managed to get the gold trophy before the eventual winner, barely holding it as it was brought to him in a VIP box at one point.
Trump sat next to FIFA boss and close friend Gianni Infantino and First Lady Melania and stood for the US national anthem.
There were scattered boos for Trump when his image was flashed on the jumbotron screens, but far less than he has received at other recent sporting events.
Meanwhile, Trump said before the game started that he thinks that the star player Lionel Messi will give Argentina a boost.
“I would say it’s hard to bet on Messi,” Trump said, adding that Argentina’s far-right President Javier Milei, who was not attending because of superstitions, “was a friend of mine. He did a great job.”
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The US leader was sitting next to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — a relationship with both of which was less than friendly.
Trump could be seen having a brief discussion with the leaders of the administration of the tournament.
Trump threatened Canada with tariffs on Friday after wildfire smoke engulfed the northeastern United States and raised concerns about air quality at the World Cup finals.
Mexico’s relationship with Washington is currently strained due to Trump’s attacks on immigrants and threats of military action against drug traffickers.
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Trump also shook hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez — who was visiting the Spanish royal family — despite Trump’s recent meltdown in Madrid for failing to help with the Iran war and the collapse of NATO.
– ‘Amazing’ –
It is expected that Trump will present the trophy to the winner of this game.
This game is the first World Cup that Trump has attended, which is unusual for the 80-year-old leader who usually likes to be seen.
But his first intervention in this tournament is far from over.
Less than two weeks ago, Trump inappropriately called Infantino asking FIFA to suspend the red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun so he could play in the last 16 match against Belgium.
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Despite the ensuing controversy about fairness and influence, Trump praised the 2026 tournament as the best ever.
“This has been the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world. It’s been amazing,” Trump said at a FIFA and Infantino reception at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.
Trump said that the tournament also helped to develop the game in the United States.
“It turns out we’re a football nation, and I think it will continue to be,” added Trump, who said his son Barron, 20, was a big fan of the game.
Trump has put his political name on the World Cup since returning in January 2025 to the Oval Office, where he hosted Infantino several times.
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But the run-up to the tournament also ran into problems with Trump’s immigration policies, which caused some supporters to face visa problems.
All eyes will be on what Trump does on the field at the end of the game.
At the FIFA Club World Cup at the same stadium in New Jersey last year, winners Chelsea were left “confused” after Trump sat on the pitch as they danced after presenting them with the trophy.
Trump then said he was allowed to keep the trophy in the Oval Office – but FIFA said the version on display was actually a replica.
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