U.S. President Donald Trump announced today that he will attend the Club World Cup final this Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium. This event is seen as a crucial test run for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which will also be held at the same stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to be hosted simultaneously by three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and will feature a record 48 national teams.
FIFA’s Deepened U.S. Presence and Trump’s Involvement
FIFA has already relocated its legal department to Miami, where staff responsible for the operational organization of both the current Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup are now based.
“I will go to the match,” President Trump told reporters, confirming his attendance.
This statement follows closely on the heels of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s announcement that a new FIFA office will open in “Trump Tower,” further solidifying the organization’s presence on American soil a year before the main World Cup event.
“FIFA is a global organization and, to be so, it must have a local presence, everywhere. Therefore, it is important to be in New York, not only for this year’s tournament and for the World Cup next year, but also for the functioning of our offices,” Infantino stated in an official announcement from the International Federation of Football.
Infantino also added that FIFA has received “extraordinary support from the American government and from the President himself” through the White House working group dedicated to organizing the Club World Cup and next year’s World Cup.
Additionally, FIFA announced that the Club World Cup trophy will be displayed at “Trump Tower” from Tuesday to Saturday, leading up to the final match.
Trump’s Sports Engagement and Immigration Concerns
President Trump has maintained a high profile in sports during his second term. He became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl final in February, and in May, he announced from the Oval Office that Washington D.C. would host the NFL Draft in 2027.
However, his strict immigration policies and travel bans affecting citizens from 12 countries have raised concerns regarding the organization of the 2026 World Cup. Despite this, the FIFA president has guaranteed that the U.S. will welcome the entire world to international football’s biggest event.
A document secured by Reuters last month indicated that the Trump administration is considering significantly expanding travel restrictions, potentially including a ban on U.S. entry for citizens from an additional 36 countries.
