Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.
Leavitt said, “We look forward to the final match on Sunday, and I know the president looks forward to attending.”
She added, “His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history.” She noted that his appearance would mark “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously said last month during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” that Trump planned to attend the championship match.
Infantino said he and President Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain following the match.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
During this year’s tournament, President Trump became involved in a controversy surrounding U.S. men’s national team forward Folarin Balogun after contacting Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card.
Balogun had initially been suspended for the United States’ Round of 16 match before officials later ruled him eligible to play.
“All I did was I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” he said. “And, again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything, that would be different.”
Although Trump has not attended a World Cup match during this year’s tournament, Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the U.S. men’s national team’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12.
In recent months, President Trump has made several appearances at major sporting events, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. The White House also hosted UFC Freedom 250 last month, and Washington is scheduled to host an IndyCar race next month.