Donald Trump will not be present at the Los Angeles Stadium for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, in which the USA faces Paraguay on Friday night, as confirmed by officials.
The United States is one of three co-hosts for the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with each nation hosting its own opening ceremony for their initial match.
(Reuters)
Typically, state leaders attend their nation’s first match of the tournament, and Trump was expected to be in attendance. Notably, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was present at Qatar’s opening game against Ecuador in 2022, and Vladimir Putin attended Russia’s first match against Saudi Arabia during the 2018 World Cup.
However, Trump will not be attending and has delegated the trip to Secretary of State Mark Rubio, along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Andrew Giuliani, CEO of the World Cup task force, confirmed Trump’s absence, stating, “He’s not going to end up attending the opening game. His schedule is tight, but I’m sure he’ll remain engaged throughout this World Cup.”
Giuliani added, “Having known President Trump for 30 years, I can tell you that he tends to surprise. Expect the unexpected, and it wouldn’t shock me if he becomes more involved with the World Cup as it progresses.”
On Saturday night, Trump is scheduled to be at the White House to host a UFC event named UFC Freedom, celebrating his 80th birthday and the USA’s 250th anniversary.
During his presidency, Trump has frequently attended significant sporting events. For instance, he was at the Ryder Cup in New York last year and was also present at the Club World Cup final in New Jersey last summer, where he famously inserted himself into the trophy celebrations of Chelsea.
However, his appearances have not always been met with enthusiasm; for instance, Trump faced boos at the NBA Finals recently when shown on the big screen. His vice president, JD Vance, also experienced booing at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan earlier this year.
Donald Trump salutes before a college football game between the US Army and Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore last December (AFP/Getty)
The launch of the tournament has been overshadowed by concerns about high ticket prices and stringent immigration policies. Many fans from over half of the nations qualified for the tournament require visas to enter the United States, bringing added costs and uncertainty for travelers concerned about strict border enforcement.
Additionally, during Trump’s time in office, the administration denied entry to a Somali referee over alleged associations with “suspected terrorists.”