FIFA has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, where Spain will face defending champions Argentina.
The winners will not only lift the iconic World Cup trophy but will also receive championship rings for the first time in football history, introducing a tradition commonly associated with American sports.
Championship rings are a long-standing feature in American sports, particularly for winners of the NFL's Super Bowl and the NBA Finals.
A total of 30 rings will be presented to the world champions, while a further 1,996 rings will be made available for sale to fans. Each ring will feature a miniature FIFA World Cup trophy and an engraving inside the band.
Trump, who will present the World Cup trophy to the winners, has not attended any of the tournament's 102 matches so far, including the United States' fixtures before the hosts were eliminated by Belgium in the Round of 16. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the US president's attendance, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also announced he would be at the final.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has been at the centre of one of the biggest controversies of this year's World Cup.
Earlier in the tournament, Trump reportedly contacted the FIFA president seeking a review of United States striker Folarin Balogun's red card, despite no red or yellow cards being overturned during the competition. France and England had also unsuccessfully appealed disciplinary decisions involving their players.
Trump has regularly attended major sporting events during his two terms as president, including the Super Bowl, the US Open tennis tournament, the NBA Finals, the Ryder Cup, and UFC events held at the White House.
While it is common for heads of state from host nations to attend the World Cup final, FIFA's decision to introduce championship rings has generated significant debate, as the tradition has never before been part of football or FIFA's official awards.