A notable absence in Los Angeles

The United States will open its World Cup campaign on home soil without the country’s president in the stands.

Donald Trump is not expected to attend Friday’s match between the U.S. men’s national team and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, despite the fixture marking one of the biggest early moments of a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

According to Sports Illustrated, multiple reports say Trump will remain in Washington, D.C., rather than travel to California for the match.

It is a striking absence. World Cups are not only sporting events; they are national showcases. For a host nation, the opening match is usually a moment of ceremony, symbolism and political theatre. This time, the president of Paraguay will be there. The president of the United States will not.

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Rubio gets the spotlight

In Trump’s place, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as the lead U.S. political figure at the match.

According to POLITICO, Rubio will be joined by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin as part of the American presence in Los Angeles.

Rubio’s role will not be limited to handshakes and photos. The State Department has said he will meet Paraguayan President Santiago Peña around the match, with regional security, trade, investment and emerging technology on the agenda.

That gives the night a diplomatic layer beyond the football. While the U.S. team begins its tournament in front of a packed stadium, Rubio will be carrying the official political message of the host country.

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Trump’s old line comes back

There is an irony to Trump’s absence.

When the United States was confirmed as a 2026 World Cup co-host during his first term in 2018, Trump said: “I won’t be here.” At the time, the line sounded like a simple acknowledgement that he did not expect to be in office when the tournament arrived.

Now, back in the White House, he could be there. But he still will not be.

According to The Athletic, Trump is expected to stay in Washington on Friday. His weekend is also set to include preparations for a major UFC event on the White House South Lawn, scheduled for Sunday, his 80th birthday.

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That contrast is hard to miss. The U.S. men’s team will walk out for its first World Cup match at home, while the president’s attention appears to be elsewhere.

A president drawn to spectacle

Trump has not avoided sport during his second term. He has appeared at major events including the Super Bowl, the Ryder Cup and the NBA Finals.

But his reception has not always been warm. At Madison Square Garden during the NBA Finals, he was met with boos and jeers when shown on the big screen.

Los Angeles may have offered another unpredictable stage. A presidential visit would also have brought heavy security demands around SoFi Stadium, adding another layer of complexity to an already massive event.

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Still, the decision to miss the match will be noticed. When the United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994, Bill Clinton attended the opener and spoke after the ceremony. Three decades later, the symbolism will look different.

Football, diplomacy and an empty seat

The U.S. opener against Paraguay was always going to carry weight. It is a sporting test for the national team, a showcase for Los Angeles and a diplomatic moment for two governments.

But Trump’s absence now becomes part of the story.

Paraguay’s president will travel to California. Rubio will step into the official spotlight for Washington. The U.S. team will try to begin its campaign with the country watching.

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And somewhere above it all will be the empty seat that says as much about politics as it does about football.

Sources: si.com, www.politico.com, www.nytimes.com