Trump to attend World Cup final on Sunday: White House
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the White House said, saving his first appearance at the tournament for its grand finale. “His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing on Thursday. “This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.” The US leader will also attend a reception for football’s world governing body FIFA at Trump Tower in New York on Friday, Leavitt said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had announced in June that Trump would attend the final in New Jersey and present the trophy to the winners, but it had not been confirmed by the White House. Leavitt said she did not know whether Trump would be supporting Argentina or Spain, after he criticized the European nation at a NATO summit last week for failing to help with the Iran war. While Trump has not attended any World Cup games so far, he has been involved in the tournament in a more controversial way. Trump confirmed earlier this month that he asked FIFA’s Infantino to review a decision to hand a red card to star US striker Folarin Balogun during a game against Bosnia. FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban ahead of the Americans’ next match, against Belgium.