The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the Geopolitics World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Trump has largely avoided the tournament so far, not attending any games or appearing on screen with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, except for a controversial phone call lobbying for a review of Folarin Balogun's red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which led to the reversal of the forward's suspension.
Trump's previous trophy presentation
This will not be Trump's first time on the podium at a major final. Last year, at the same venue, Trump and Infantino handed the trophy to Reece James after Chelsea's victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Copa Gianni final. Trump remained on stage during the lift, standing between goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and a bemused Cole Palmer. Palmer later said, "I knew he was going to be here but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused." Boos rang out for Trump then, as they did at Madison Square Garden in June when he attended the New York Knicks' only loss during the NBA finals. Trump dismissed the hostility, claiming, "It was, I think, mostly cheers. It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic."
Messi and Yamal reunion
Sunday's final also features a heartwarming subplot: the reunion of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, 19 years after their first photoshoot together. In 2007, a 20-year-old Messi cradled a baby Yamal for a charity calendar raising funds for UNICEF. Yamal has since become Messi's spiritual successor at Barcelona, inheriting the No. 10 shirt. Photographers are expected to capture their embrace on the podium, and hopes are high that Trump will not photobomb the moment.
Milei stays home due to superstition
Meanwhile, Argentina's President Javier Milei will not attend the final, citing superstition. He revealed that during the Switzerland game, he removed his oil company-branded jacket and Argentina conceded a goal. He put it back on and "never took it off again." Milei said, "I'm going to keep watching all the games from Olivos. Since it's cold and I don't turn on the heat, I wear an oil company-branded jacket."
