World Cup 2026: Why has Donald Trump stayed away from the matches?
US President Donald Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match despite his vocal support for the tournament. Will he appear before the final?
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Author: Official White House Photo
Despite high expectations that US President Donald Trump would be a regular fixture at the 2026 World Cup, he has yet to attend a single match. This absence is particularly striking given that the United States team has already secured a spot in the knockout stages.
Trump previously hailed the tournament as the most successful in FIFA's history and played a central role in the draw in Washington DC, where he received a 'Peace Prize' from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, at the opening match in Los Angeles, he was represented by Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
Political analysts suggest the president's absence may be a strategic choice to avoid potentially hostile crowds in Democrat-leaning cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, following a negative reception at the NBA Finals earlier this month. Others point to an exceptionally busy presidential schedule, including G7 summit commitments and high-stakes diplomatic negotiations.
While the president remains absent, other senior administration officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, have been visible at various tournament venues.
My boss likes a cliffhanger. He likes to keep you on the edge of your seat. So, all I would just tell people is, tune in, and we'll see some surprises, I'm sure. Andrew Giuliani
FIFA intends for the president to attend the final in New Jersey on 19 July to present the trophy. However, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, has hinted that the president might make a surprise appearance at a game before the tournament concludes.