Trump confirms he will attend World Cup matches

President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to attend matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, days before the tournament kicks off in North America amid ongoing controversy over U.S. immigration policies affecting fans and officials.

"I Will, I Will"

"I will, I will," Trump told an AFP reporter in the Oval Office when asked if he planned to be at any World Cup matches. He did not specify which games he would attend, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he expects Trump to co-present the trophy to the winning team at the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.usatoday+2

Infantino confirmed the arrangement earlier this year, stating: "This trophy will be presented on July 19 to the captain of the team that wins the World Cup. I will present it alongside the President of the United States, the host nation. No one else is allowed to touch this trophy."usatoday

Trump told reporters he had spoken with Infantino that morning, saying the FIFA president told him "there's never been anything close" to the success of the coming tournament.batimes

Visa Concerns Shadow the Tournament

The confirmation came as the World Cup faces persistent off-field distractions, including an immigration crackdown that has barred fans, team officials, and a top Somali referee from entering the United States. Trump addressed concerns about visa access, saying his administration was "working on it very closely to ensure the right people come into our country."bbc+2

The visa issue has drawn international attention after Somali referee Omar Artan — named 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football — was turned back at Miami International Airport despite holding valid documents. "I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," Artan told The New York Times. A U.S. State Department official said the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations."batimes

In May, the Trump administration waived bond requirements of up to $15,000 for fans from five World Cup-qualifying countries — Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia — provided they held confirmed FIFA tickets.espn

A Tournament Under Scrutiny

The expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, opens Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament represents the largest in FIFA history, but Trump's hardline immigration stance has cast a shadow over the event that was meant to showcase global unity through sport.dw+2

Trump attended the FIFA Club World Cup final last year at MetLife Stadium, where he was booed by the crowd.batimes