Is Trump the first president to attend a World Cup final?
Argentina and Spain are set to face off for the World Cup final at 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey after a month of thrilling games that have gripped sports fans across the globe. The White House confirmed last week that Trump will be attending Sunday’s highly anticipated game as the U.S. caps off hosting one of the largest sporting events in the world.
“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a close ally of the president, also confirmed last month on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump will jointly present the trophy to the winners of the World Cup.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
Trump faced criticism earlier this month after it was reported that he called Infantino asking FIFA to overturn the suspension of U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun was ultimately allowed to play, but the U.S. men’s national team still lost to Belgium.
The appearance will mark the first time a U.S. president will attend the men’s World Cup final. The U.S. has hosted the tournament only once before, under then-President Bill Clinton.
When the U.S. last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, Clinton delivered remarks at the opening ceremony but did not attend the final match between Brazil and Italy. Instead, then-Vice President Al Gore attended the final game in Pasadena, California and handed the trophy to Brazil’s team captain.
But Clinton did attend the women’s final game in Pasadena when the U.S. women’s soccer team clinched their second World Cup title in 1999.
Stories by Lauren Sforza
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