FIFA confirm controversial Donald Trump plan for World Cup final

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FT Desk

United States President Donald Trump has been conspicuous in his absence in person at the 2026 World Cup so far this summer.

Back when FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the inaugural FIFA 'Peace Prize' at the draw for the group stage back in December, the assumption was the politician would be heavily featured during the tournament with a presence at numerous matches.

Trump said himself in January that he planned to go to a number of fixtures.

"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."

That hasn't happened, however. In fact, he's yet to attend a single World Cup match so far.

Infantino sought to explain Trump's absence recently and insisted that it was not because of any kind of security concerns.

“No, no. I suppose he still has a few other things to do," the FIFA official told Blue Sport.

"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.”

Prior to and during the 2026 World Cup, Trump has courted major controversy by inserting the United States in a conflict with Iran, one of the participating nations in the tournament.

The Iranian squad were forced to relocate their home base to Mexico for their time in North America and were only allowed in the United States for a period of 24 hours for each of their matches. Several members of their travelling contingent were also completely denied visas to enter the country, which impacted logistics and organisation for the playing squad.

Will Donald Trump be at the World Cup final?

At the moment, the plan is for Trump to be at the World Cup final, which will take place on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Infantino says he'll be there alongside Trump to present the World Cup trophy to the winning nation.

“Hopefully we’ll present the trophy together in the final," he explained.

"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 was involved in a bizarre scenario during the Club World Cup last summer as he was front and centre during the trophy ceremony, right next to club captain Reece James as he lifted the prize into the air. Should something similar happen in this much higher-profile event, it will undoubtedly be controversial.

FootballTransfers' Chelsea expert Cameron Smith looks back on the awkward moment:

"The first edition of the new Club World Cup format was widely panned and Chelsea’s eventual triumph was largely glossed over as a glorified pre-season tournament.

"The Blues took it seriously, and earned significant prize money for their exploits, but it will take a while for the tournament to be fully respected by both fans and pundits.

"The fact that Donald Trump was present front and centre for the trophy lift certainly didn’t help the credibility that Gianni Infantino wants the tournament to have either.

"Cole Palmer looked entirely bemused by the fact that Trump stood next to Reece James as he lifted the trophy, rather than leave the stage, and the entire presentation was a farce. In no other country, with no other president, would this have happened and if the same occurs on 19 July for the World Cup presentation, it will be an extremely bad look for FIFA."

The semi-finals for the 2026 World Cup take place this midweek, with Spain facing France and Argentina taking on Spain for a place in the final this Sunday.