See how Trump and Sanchez met in the World Cup final.

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. The event brought together world leaders with sharply divergent views, gathered in a VIP section protected by reinforced glass under strict security measures. Among them were Trump, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, among others. The gathering symbolized contrasting global visions, yet political tensions gave way to football for the duration of the match. The meeting between Trump and Sánchez marked a cautious thawing of relations following months of strain over defense spending commitments agreed upon at last year’s NATO summit. Spain had refused to raise its defense budget to five percent of GDP, and later declined to allow U.S. military aircraft involved in the Iran conflict to use Spanish bases. Trump had previously criticized Spain as a “terrible ally.” However, recent weeks saw both sides taking steps toward easing tensions, including Spain’s commitment to additional defense investments and participation in a joint mission in Finland. For 90 minutes, politics yielded to sport. Trump and Sánchez exchanged handshakes before the match, signaling a second chapter in their tentative reconciliation after a meeting in Ankara earlier this month, where they reportedly discussed football and golf. Nearby sat Sheinbaum and Carney, who have had tense relationships with Trump due to his protectionist economic policies. Trump’s closest ally in the VIP section was Infantino, who made special efforts throughout the tournament to connect with the U.S. president. Before the game began, officials presented Trump with the World Cup trophy, breaking tradition by allowing him to touch it multiple times before returning it. During the match, however, he appeared less engaged, even dozing off briefly at one point, according to El País. Despite frequent claims that he loves football, Trump has admitted he does not fully understand the sport. His son Barron, however, is a true football enthusiast, having taken advantage of visits to the White House to photograph himself with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Trump arrived via helicopter after flying over the stadium prior to the match, likely preferring to spend the afternoon posting messages on Truth Social, where he has posted more than 9,000 posts since returning to office. The final placed Trump alongside figures representing vastly different perspectives on the world. Among them was New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a rising star in the Democratic Party, and Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, who remained in high spirits throughout the evening. As always, Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia played a diplomatic role, helping ease tensions in the VIP section while openly cheering for Spain’s team. There were initial doubts whether Sánchez would attend the final, but he ultimately traveled to New York after receiving an invitation from FIFA. According to organizers, eight Spanish ministers who planned to attend as representatives of Spain had to cancel their plans once it became clear that the prime minister would be present. The event drew international attention, with social media capturing moments from the VIP section. One tweet highlighted the presence of leaders from diverse ideologies and countries, including Trump, Sánchez, Carney, Sheinbaum, Infantino, Felipe VI, Letizia, and others. It noted that some attendees, such as Argentina’s Javier Milei, did not make an appearance despite expectations. The World Cup final took place amid heightened security, with the VIP area designed to resemble a political aquarium, housing leaders with few common positions. Despite these differences, the occasion allowed for a rare moment of unity centered around the shared experience of watching a major sporting event. The atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the broader theme of the day: the convergence of global leaders, often divided by policy and ideology, coming together through the universal language of football.