Despite the United States co-hosting the World Cup and the national team advancing to the knockout stages, former President Donald Trump has not attended any matches. This absence has drawn attention, particularly given Trump's previous engagement with the tournament's build-up and his close ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
During the initial stages of the tournament, Trump praised FIFA's ticket sales, calling it "the most successful World Cup they've ever had." This statement reinforced expectations that he would be a prominent figure throughout the event. Trump had referenced the World Cup in a rally speech prior to his presidential inauguration and played a notable role at the tournament's draw in Washington D.C. in December, where he received FIFA's inaugural 'Peace Prize' from Infantino. The relationship between Trump and Infantino has been characterized by several meetings, including visits to the Oval Office and Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump has previously attended other significant sporting events in the U.S. during his presidency, such as the Super Bowl, the Club World Cup final, and the Ryder Cup opening day. However, when the U.S. team played its opening match on June 12 in Los Angeles, Secretary of State Mark Rubio attended in Trump's stead. Reports suggest Trump prioritized an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held on the White House lawn two days later, which coincided with his 80th birthday celebration and the nation's 250th anniversary.
In contrast, in 1994, then-President Bill Clinton attended the opening match of the World Cup held in the United States. His presence at Soldier Field in Chicago marked the first time the tournament was staged in the U.S. While the event is remembered for a pre-match penalty kick miss by Diana Ross, Clinton's attendance at the opening ceremony was a significant display of presidential support for the event. With the current tournament having passed its halfway point, it remains to be seen if Trump will make an appearance before the final.