Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK | June 24, 2026 : FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump will be present at the FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at the New York–New Jersey Stadium, where he is expected to take part in presenting the trophy to the winning team.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, highlighting the growing association between global football governance and high-profile political figures in the United States as the tournament approaches its climax. According to Infantino, Trump will attend the final match and join in the official trophy presentation ceremony alongside FIFA officials.

Infantino, who has developed increasingly close ties with the former U.S. President in recent years, previously awarded Trump the inaugural edition of his own FIFA Peace Prize in December. The gesture reflected what Infantino described as recognition of Trump’s influence and visibility within global sporting and political spheres.

“We will enjoy the final with the president and of course together we will hand over the trophy to the winner,” Infantino said during an appearance on the television program Fox & Friends. His comments were later cited by FIFA in an official clarification.

The FIFA president’s remarks underline the significance FIFA places on the 2026 World Cup final, which will be held in the United States and is expected to be one of the most widely watched sporting events in history. The presence of a former U.S. president at the trophy ceremony adds an additional political dimension to the sporting spectacle.

FIFA has stated that beyond Infantino’s televised comments, it has no further official statement on the matter. The organization has not provided additional details regarding the formal role Trump will play during the closing ceremony.

Trump’s involvement in the final is expected to draw global attention, given his continued prominence in American politics and public life. The World Cup final itself is set to take place at the New York–New Jersey Stadium on July 19, marking the culmination of a month-long tournament hosted across multiple cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The final, football fans around the world are closely watching both the sporting competition and the high-profile personalities associated with the event. Infantino’s confirmation has further amplified global interest in what is already expected to be a historic World Cup conclusion.