Donald Trump Unlikely to Attend United States' Opening Match at 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump is unlikely to attend the United States' opening game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for the early hours of June 13 (mainland Portugal time). The match will take place at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the U.S. team will face Paraguay.

The 2026 World Cup is a significant event, as it is hosted by the United States along with Canada and Mexico. The tournament marks a major moment for American soccer, with the opening game drawing considerable attention. The presence of the host nation's head of state at the opening match is traditionally expected, adding to the occasion's prestige.

Should Trump’s absence be confirmed, it would be an unusual occurrence in recent World Cup history. Previous tournaments have seen the attendance of prominent national leaders at their teams' opening games, such as the Emir of Qatar in 2022, Vladimir Putin in 2018, and Dilma Rousseff in 2014. This tradition underscores the importance of the World Cup as a global event that often attracts high-level political figures.

According to four sources close to the tournament organization cited by The Athletic, Trump is not expected to attend the match. However, these sources also noted that plans could change at the last minute. The White House has not publicly confirmed whether Trump will be present or absent during the opening game.

Despite the potential absence of the President, government representation at the match will be assured. A statement from the U.S. State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the game. He will be accompanied by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, ensuring official U.S. presence at the event.

Trump’s schedule reportedly includes commitments in Washington D.C. related to preparations for a UFC event taking place over the same weekend, which may explain his decision not to attend the World Cup opener.

As the tournament progresses, attention will remain on the U.S. team's performance and the broader impact of hosting the World Cup on American soccer. The next steps will likely involve monitoring the team’s results and any further developments regarding political figures’ involvement in the event.