Donald Trump, sotto i riflettori della finale del Mondiale 2026

Donald Trump will take center stage during the World Cup 2026 final, scheduled for Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The U.S. president is set to present the trophy to the winner of the Spain-Argentina match alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This marks the first time a U.S. president has attended a World Cup final hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Despite staying away from the playing fields throughout the tournament, Trump became embroiled in controversy after reportedly calling Infantino to request the reversal of a red card issued to American player Folarin Balogun during the quarterfinal against Belgium. The decision allowed Balogun to remain in the game, which the U.S. team eventually won 4-1. The incident sparked widespread criticism over potential unfairness in the competition. However, Trump praised the tournament, declaring it “perhaps the most successful sporting event in history.” During a FIFA reception at his Trump Tower in New York earlier this week, he expressed satisfaction with the event’s impact on soccer’s popularity in the United States, where baseball, basketball, and American football have traditionally dominated. He claimed the World Cup had demonstrated America's growing affinity for soccer and predicted it would continue to grow. Melania Trump, the First Lady, is expected to attend the final from the VIP section. In contrast, Argentine President Javier Milei has opted not to attend due to personal superstitions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and members of the Spanish royal family will be present despite Trump’s public criticisms of Spain for not supporting the war effort against Iran. Relations between the U.S. and its North American neighbors remain strained. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will also be in attendance, despite ongoing tensions related to wildfires affecting air quality near the stadium and U.S. policies targeting immigration and drug trafficking in Mexico. Trump’s presence at the final comes amid heightened scrutiny. Last year, he drew attention for appearing on the podium during celebrations following the presentation of the new World Cup of Clubs trophy to the Chelsea players at the same venue. Since returning to power in January 2025, Trump has frequently highlighted his role in securing the hosting rights for both the World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. At a recent event, he humorously suggested that the U.S. might host a future World Cup jointly with China, joking that this time they could exclude Mexico and Canada. Aircraft exclusion zones will be established around the stadium as Trump travels by plane from his golf course in New Jersey. His participation in the ceremony is likely to draw significant media attention, given his tendency to dominate headlines even in high-profile sporting events. The final represents more than just a culmination of months of competition; it symbolizes the complex interplay between sports, politics, and international relations under Trump’s leadership.