In a high-profile show of support for global football, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The announcement came during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, just as FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed the opening of a FIFA representative office in Trump Tower, New York, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sunday’s final—held at the home of the NFL’s New York Jets and Giants—will serve as a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, set to take place at the same venue. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format, a first in World Cup history.
“I’ll be going to the game,” Trump told reporters, signaling continued executive backing for the world’s most-watched sporting event.
In a symbolic and strategic move, FIFA has opened a new office in Trump Tower, where the Club World Cup trophy will be displayed until Sunday’s final. FIFA President Infantino praised the level of U.S. support for both the Club World Cup and the upcoming World Cup.
“We have received such big support from the government and from the President with the White House Task Force for the FIFA Club World Cup (now) and for the FIFA World Cup next year,” said Infantino.
Trump’s presence at major sporting events has become a recurring theme during his second term. He made headlines as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl earlier this year and later announced Washington, D.C. as host for the 2027 NFL Draft from the Oval Office.
Despite high-level cooperation with FIFA, Trump’s administration continues to face international criticism over its immigration policies. His travel ban affecting 12 countries has already raised concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A memo leaked to Reuters last month revealed that the White House is considering expanding these restrictions to 36 additional countries.
While Infantino has tried to assure the global football community that the U.S. will be a welcoming host, the administration’s evolving immigration stance casts a shadow over logistical preparations for the tournament.
As the Club World Cup final sets the stage for global attention, Trump’s involvement highlights both the opportunities and challenges of hosting the world’s most prestigious football tournament. With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching, the alignment between FIFA and the U.S. government is under intense global scrutiny.
Whether Sunday’s final proves to be a symbol of unity or controversy remains to be seen—but the eyes of the footballing world will certainly be watching.
