A notable empty seat
The 2026 World Cup is well underway across the United States, Canada and Mexico, but one high-profile figure has so far been missing from the stands.
US President Donald Trump has not yet attended a match, despite the United States being one of the three host nations and despite his close public relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
His absence has become a talking point because Trump was a visible presence in the build-up to the tournament. He appeared with Infantino before the World Cup and is expected to play a role at the final in New Jersey next month.
According to UNILAD’s report by Niamh Shackleton, Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House’s World Cup task force, has now offered an explanation, though not a definitive one.
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“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.”
Schedule and strategy
Giuliani’s answer suggested that Trump’s absence may be partly practical and partly intentional.
The president has had other major events on his calendar, including international travel and the build-up to Independence Day celebrations. At the same time, Giuliani framed the delay as something that keeps attention on when Trump might finally appear.
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As reported by The Independent’s Graig Graziosi, an unnamed source told The Telegraph that Trump was focused on July 4 events and was unlikely to attend a World Cup match before the final.
“The president is preoccupied with the US’s July 4 celebrations. The World Cup just isn’t on his radar at the moment,” the source said.
The same source added that Trump could attend a semi-final if the United States reaches that stage, but otherwise suggested his first appearance may come at the final.
Final appearance expected
Trump’s absence from the early stages does not mean he will miss the tournament entirely.
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According to People’s Madison E. Goldberg, Infantino has said Trump will help present the trophy to the winners of the World Cup final on July 19.
The final will be played at MetLife Stadium, known during the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium, in East Rutherford.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
That would place Trump at the centre of the tournament’s closing moment, even if he has stayed away from the earlier matches.
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Questions remain
Trump’s absence has still raised eyebrows.
Major tournaments often bring out leaders from host countries, and the World Cup has become part of a broader American summer of sport and national celebration. Trump has also found time for other sporting events, including the NBA Finals and a UFC event at the White House.
For now, the official explanation remains open-ended. There is a busy schedule, there is an element of suspense, and there is an expectation that Trump will be present when the trophy is handed over.
Whether he appears before then may depend on the United States’ run and on how long he wants to keep the cliffhanger going.
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