United States President Donald Trump will attend
Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain and is expected to
present the trophy to the winning team alongside FIFA President Gianni
Infantino.
The White House confirmed that Trump will be present
at the showpiece event in New Jersey, marking his first appearance at the
tournament after missing the previous 102 matches played across the United
States, Canada, and Mexico.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the
president is looking forward to the final, describing it as a fitting
conclusion to a tournament that has highlighted America's ability to host a
global sporting event.
"We look forward to the final match on Sunday,
and I know the president looks forward to attending," Leavitt said.
She also confirmed that Trump is scheduled to attend a
FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City ahead of the final.
Earlier in the week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino
revealed that the plan had always been for the US president to join him in
presenting the World Cup trophy to the champions.
"Hopefully we'll present the trophy together in
the final. That's always been the plan, and that's how it's traditionally been
done—the president of the host country presents the trophy alongside the FIFA
president," Infantino said in an interview with Blue Sport.
Addressing Trump's absence from the tournament before
the final, Infantino suggested the president had been occupied with other
responsibilities.
"I suppose he still has a few other things to do.
And if he had attended earlier matches, people would probably have asked why he
was at the stadium when there is so much happening around the world,"
Infantino said.
He added that he has remained in regular contact with
Trump and his administration throughout the tournament, praising the US
government's support in hosting the World Cup.
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