TRUMP SKIPS WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gathers pace across the United States, Canada and Mexico, one of the tournament's most anticipated figures has remained conspicuously absent.
US President Donald Trump, who appeared alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino throughout the build-up to the tournament and repeatedly hailed the competition as a landmark event, has yet to attend a single match despite the United States being one of the three host nations.

His absence has become one of the biggest off-field talking points of the tournament, particularly given Trump's well-known love of major sporting events and his close relationship with Infantino.

Ahead of the World Cup, Trump suggested he would attend multiple matches, while FIFA even adjusted parts of the tournament's build-up to accommodate his schedule. Infantino frequently visited the White House before the competition, underscoring what appeared to be a close working relationship between the two.

However, more than two weeks into the tournament, the president has skipped the opening ceremony, the United States' group-stage matches and several other high-profile fixtures.

According to reports, Trump's demanding presidential schedule has kept football lower on his list of priorities. The White House has been preoccupied with ongoing diplomatic engagements, tensions involving Iran, preparations for America's Independence Day celebrations and other domestic policy matters.

Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House's World Cup task force, hinted that Trump enjoys keeping people guessing about when he will finally appear.
"I know he's got a couple of international trips that he has planned as well as Independence Day, so the only thing I'll tell you about my boss—and I've known him for, heck, 30 years, and he's kind of like an uncle figure to me—he likes a good cliffhanger, right?" Giuliani said.

"He likes to leave people watching, so all I can tell you is 'keep tuned in', and I'm excited to see what the next steps are."

Despite missing every World Cup fixture so far, Trump has still found time to attend other sporting events, including an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden and a UFC event hosted on the White House grounds.

His appearance at the NBA game, however, attracted widespread attention after sections of the crowd booed as he appeared on the arena's giant screens. While Trump later dismissed suggestions he received a hostile reception, some commentators have speculated that the incident may have contributed to his decision to stay away from packed World Cup stadiums, where international crowds can often be unpredictable.

Others point to geography and politics. Most of the tournament's host cities are traditionally Democratic strongholds, including Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and San Francisco—places where Trump has often faced political opposition.

Even so, there is no evidence that concerns over fan reactions are the primary reason behind his absence, with White House officials maintaining that his schedule has simply left little room for tournament appearances.

Reports indicate Trump is unlikely to attend any World Cup match before the final on July 19 in New Jersey, where he is expected to present the trophy. He could also make an appearance if the United States men's national team reaches the semi-finals in Dallas.

On the pitch, the Americans have enjoyed an impressive campaign, securing qualification for the knockout rounds after convincing victories over Paraguay and Australia.

In Trump's absence, senior members of his administration have represented the government at tournament events. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the opening ceremony and the United States' first match, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other officials have also been present at various fixtures.

The tournament has also unfolded against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Trump previously questioned whether Iran's national team should participate in matches hosted in the United States amid ongoing conflict, while security concerns surrounding Iran's delegation have added a political dimension to an event intended to celebrate global football.

Notably, Trump is not the only host-nation leader to miss the tournament's opening matches. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended Canada's second match after missing the opener, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum opted not to attend at all, instead donating her ticket to a young Indigenous woman.

Although the football has largely taken centre stage, Trump's continued absence has become an unexpected storyline of the 2026 World Cup. Whether he makes his first appearance before the final—or waits until lifting the trophy alongside FIFA officials in New Jersey—remains one of the tournament's lingering questions.