On Thursday, the White House officially announced that former President Donald Trump will be attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, which is set to take place this Monday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news during a briefing, putting to rest the speculation about whether Trump would make an appearance at this major football event. Just last month, FIFA president Gianni Infantino hinted that Trump might play a role in the trophy presentation after the match. There had been some uncertainty regarding his absence from earlier games, especially since the World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Recently, Trump was spotted at Game 3 of the NBA Finals and even hosted UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
Leavitt called Trump’s appearance at the final “a fitting conclusion” to a tournament that highlighted America’s ability to host global sporting events. Infantino also confirmed that he and Trump are expected to jointly present the World Cup trophy to the winning captain after the match, as he said, “We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together.”
Who Are The Performers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
The World Cup final is set to not only crown a champion but also wrap up the inaugural 48-team edition of this iconic tournament, featuring one of FIFA’s grandest entertainment spectacles. The closing ceremony kicks off at 23:00 IST, just 90 minutes before the much-anticipated match starts at 00:30 IST on July 20 in India. Get ready for an exciting pre-match celebration with performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and streamer IShowSpeed, plus a special appearance by Tom Cruise. And don’t miss Jennifer Hudson as she belts out the United States national anthem right before the game begins.
In a groundbreaking move, FIFA has also introduced its first-ever half-time show for the World Cup final, which is expected to last nearly 25 minutes. The lineup includes superstars like Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin curating the entire performance. This initiative is part of a larger effort to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise a whopping USD 100 million to enhance education and football opportunities for children across the globe.
